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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2001
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 1-16167
MONSANTO COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 43-1878297
-------- ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
800 NORTH LINDBERGH BLVD., ST. LOUIS, MO 63167
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(314) 694-1000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES X NO
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Outstanding at
Class November 1, 2001
Common Stock, $0.01 par value 258,088,500 shares
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) of Monsanto Company and
subsidiaries for the three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and
Sept. 30, 2000, the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Financial Position as of
Sept. 30, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2000, the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Cash
Flow for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2000, and related
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements follow. Unless otherwise indicated,
"Monsanto" and "the company" are used interchangeably to refer to Monsanto
Company or to Monsanto Company and consolidated subsidiaries, as appropriate to
the context. With respect to the time period prior to the separation of
Monsanto's businesses from those of Pharmacia Corporation (Pharmacia) on Sept.
1, 2000, references to "Monsanto" or "the company" also refer to the
agricultural business of Pharmacia. See Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. Unless otherwise
indicated, "earnings (loss) per share" and "per share" mean diluted earnings
(loss) per share and "earnings (loss) per pro forma share" and "per pro forma
share" mean basic and diluted earnings (loss) per pro forma share. In tables,
all dollars are in millions, except per share and per pro forma share amounts.
1
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions, except per share and per pro forma share amounts)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------------ ------------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Net Sales $936 $1,006 $4,253 $4,334
Cost of Goods Sold 552 549 2,073 2,038
------- ------ ------ -------
Gross Profit 384 457 2,180 2,296
Operating Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses 275 300 903 988
Research and development expenses 140 140 410 431
Amortization and adjustments of goodwill 30 29 91 178
Restructuring charges - net 9 26 61 67
------- ------ ------- -------
Total Operating Expenses 454 495 1,465 1,664
Income (Loss) From Operations (70) (38) 715 632
Interest Expense (16) (67) (73) (210)
Interest Income 5 8 18 23
Other Income (Expense) - net 4 (7) (24) (35)
------- ------- ------- -------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Item and
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change (77) (104) 636 410
Income tax benefit (provision) 32 40 (235) (183)
------- ------- ------- --------
Income (Loss) Before Extraordinary Item and Cumulative Effect of
Accounting Change (45) (64) 401 227
Extraordinary loss on early retirement of debt - net of tax
benefit of $2 -- -- (2) --
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle -
net of tax benefit of $16 -- -- -- (26)
------- ------- ------- --------
Net Income (Loss) $ (45) $ (64) $ 399 $ 201
======= ======== ======== =========
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share (Pro Forma Share in 2000):
Income (Loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effect
of accounting change $(0.17) $(0.25) $ 1.56 $ 0.88
Extraordinary item -- -- (0.01) --
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle -- -- -- (0.10)
------- ------- -------- --------
Net Income (Loss) $(0.17) $(0.25) $ 1.55 $ 0.78
======= ======= ========= ========
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share (Pro Forma Share in 2000):
Income (Loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effect
of accounting change $ (0.17) $ (0.25) $ 1.52 $ 0.88
Extraordinary item -- -- (0.01) --
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle -- -- -- (0.10)
---------- ---------- -------- ---------
Net Income (Loss) $ (0.17) $ (0.25) $ 1.51 $ 0.78
========== ========== ======== =========
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (Pro Forma in 2000):
Basic 258.1 258.0 258.1 258.0
Diluted 263.6 258.0 263.6 258.0
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
2
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL POSITION
(Dollars in millions, except share amounts)
Unaudited
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2001 2000
---- ----
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 180 $ 131
Receivables, net of allowances of $166 in 2001 and $171 in 2000 2,988 2,515
Miscellaneous receivables 375 283
Related party loan receivable 7 205
Related party receivable 36 261
Deferred tax assets 198 225
Inventories 1,325 1,253
Other current assets 76 100
--------- ---------
Total Current Assets 5,185 4,973
Property, Plant and Equipment - net 2,602 2,659
Goodwill - net 2,715 2,827
Other Intangible Assets - net 692 779
Other Assets 505 488
--------- ---------
Total Assets $11,699 $11,726
========= =========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt $ 1,016 $ 158
Related party short-term loan payable 279 635
Accounts payable 297 525
Related party payable 95 162
Accrued liabilities 1,107 1,277
--------- ---------
Total Current Liabilities 2,794 2,757
Long-Term Debt 921 962
Postretirement and Other Liabilities 684 666
Shareowners' Equity:
Common stock (Authorized: 1,500,000,000 shares, par value $0.01)
Issued: 258,088,500 shares in 2001 and 258,043,000 in 2000 3 3
Additional contributed capital 7,865 7,853
Retained earnings 310 2
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (840) (479)
Reserve for ESOP debt retirement (38) (38)
--------- ----------
Total Shareowners' Equity 7,300 7,341
--------- ----------
Total Liabilities and Shareowners' Equity $ 11,699 $ 11,726
========= ==========
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
3
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW
(Dollars in millions)
Unaudited
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
------------------------
2001 2000
Total Cash Required by Operations $ (139) $ (80)
------- -------
Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Investing Activities:
Property, plant and equipment purchases (292) (447)
Acquisitions and investments (92) (110)
Loans with related party 38 --
-------- -------
Net Cash Flows Required by Investing Activities (346) (557)
-------- -------
Cash Flows Provided (Required) by Financing Activities:
Net change in short-term financing 854 767
Loans from related party (197) --
Long-term debt proceeds 39 --
Long-term debt reductions (77) --
Net transactions with Pharmacia -- 62
Dividend payments (85) --
-------- -------
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities 534 829
-------- -------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents 49 192
Cash and Cash Equivalents Beginning of Year 131 26
------- -------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period $ 180 $ 218
======= =======
The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents was not
material. All interest expense on debt specifically attributable to Monsanto is
included in the Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) for the nine months
ended Sept. 30, 2000. However, no cash payments for interest or taxes were made
by Monsanto during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, because all interest
and tax payments during this period were made by Pharmacia. Cash payments for
interest and taxes for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, were $81 million
and $112 million, respectively.
Non-cash transactions for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, include a
reclassification of $1.1 billion of long-term debt to short-term debt. In
addition, $2.2 billion of debt transferred to Pharmacia in exchange for
additional equity in Monsanto was partially offset by net obligations of
approximately $500 million assumed by Monsanto. Net transactions with parent
include approximately $200 million of non-cash transactions.
See the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
Monsanto is comprised of the operations, assets and liabilities that
were previously the agricultural business of Pharmacia. This agricultural
business was transferred to Monsanto from Pharmacia on Sept. 1, 2000,
pursuant to the terms of a Separation Agreement dated as of that date (the
Separation Agreement).
The consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to Sept.
1, 2000, have been prepared on a carve-out basis, which reflects the
historical operating results, assets, and liabilities of these business
operations. The costs of certain services provided by Pharmacia during the
three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, included in the
Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) have been allocated to Monsanto
based on methodologies that management believes to be reasonable, but which
do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial
position, or cash flows would have been had Monsanto been a separate,
stand-alone public entity during periods prior to Sept. 1, 2000.
On Oct. 23, 2000, Monsanto sold 38,033,000 shares of its common stock
at $20 per share in an initial public offering (IPO). The total net
proceeds to Monsanto were $723 million. Subsequent to the offering,
Pharmacia owned and continues to own 220,000,000 shares of common stock,
representing 85.2 percent ownership of Monsanto as of Sept. 30, 2001.
The accompanying Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) for the three
months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2000, the
Condensed Statement of Consolidated Financial Position as of Sept. 30,
2001, and the Condensed Statement of Consolidated Cash Flow for the nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2000, have not been audited, but
have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with
the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the
opinion of management, these unaudited consolidated financial statements
contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position,
results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods reported. This
quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the
audited consolidated financial statements as presented in Monsanto's annual
report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2000, and the quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2001, and June 30,
2001.
Financial information for the first nine months of 2001 should not be
annualized. Monsanto has historically generated the majority of its sales
during the first half of the year, primarily because of the timing of the
planting and growing season in the Northern Hemisphere.
Note 2 - New Accounting Standards
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, that replaces SFAS No.
121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of. SFAS No. 144 establishes an accounting model for
long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale that applies to all long-lived
assets, including discontinued operations. This statement is effective for
Monsanto on Jan. 1, 2002.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 addresses financial accounting and
reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible
long-lived assets and the associated retirement costs. This statement is
effective for Monsanto on Jan. 1, 2003. Monsanto has not yet determined the
effect adoption of SFAS No. 143 and SFAS No. 144 will have on its
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In June 2001, the FASB simultaneously approved SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations and SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS
No. 141 requires the use of the purchase method of accounting for all
business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, thereby eliminating
the use of the pooling of interests method. The Business Combinations
statement also provides broader criteria for identifying the types of
acquired intangible assets that are required to be recognized separately
from goodwill and those acquired intangible assets that are required to be
included in goodwill. Monsanto is required to adopt the provisions of SFAS
5
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
No. 141 on Jan. 1, 2002, with the exception of the immediate requirement to
use the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations
initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 141 also will require Monsanto to
evaluate its existing goodwill and other intangible assets and to make any
necessary reclassifications to conform with the new requirements at the
date of adoption.
SFAS No. 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an amortization
method to an impairment-only approach. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 on
Jan. 1, 2002, goodwill will no longer be amortized; rather, it will be
tested for impairment at least annually and in conjunction with an initial
goodwill impairment test to be performed in 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires
companies to record any impairment loss resulting from the initial
impairment test as an accounting change in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 20, Accounting Changes. Upon adoption of
SFAS No. 142, Monsanto will be required to reassess the useful lives and
residual values of all identifiable and recognized intangible assets and
make any necessary amortization period adjustments by March 31, 2002. SFAS
No. 142 also will require recognized intangible assets with definite useful
lives to be amortized over such respective estimated lives and reviewed for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Any acquired and identifiable
intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life will not be
amortized, but instead tested for impairment in accordance with SFAS No.
142 until its life is determined to no longer be indefinite. Monsanto is
currently assessing its position but has not yet determined the effect that
the adoption of these standards will have on its consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
Monsanto adopted SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities, and its amendments on Jan. 1, 2001. These new
accounting standards establish accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts, and hedge accounting. In accordance with the transition
provisions of SFAS No. 133, the company recorded a $2 million net-of-tax
cumulative effect charge in other comprehensive income (loss) as of Jan. 1,
2001. This amount reflects the deferred amount of derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges. Substantially all of the transition
adjustment recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income will be
reclassified into earnings by Dec. 31, 2001. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 133,
the $19 million difference between the carrying value and fair value of
hedged items classified as fair value hedges was offset by the change in
fair value of the related derivatives. Accordingly, this transition
adjustment had no net effect on earnings or shareowners' equity. See Note 9
for further details of Monsanto's accounting for derivative instruments and
hedging activities.
In 2000, Monsanto adopted Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, Revenue
Recognition in Financial Statements (SAB 101), the Securities and Exchange
Commission's interpretation of accounting guidelines on revenue
recognition. The adoption of SAB 101 primarily affected the company's
recognition of license revenues from biotechnology traits sold through
third-party seed companies. Monsanto restated license revenues in 2000 to
be recognized when a grower purchases seed as compared with the previous
practice of recognizing the license revenue when the third-party seed
company sold the seed into the distribution system. SAB 101 required
companies to report any change in revenue recognition related to adopting
its provisions as an accounting change in accordance with APB No. 20.
Monsanto recognized the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle of a loss of $26 million, net of taxes of $16 million, effective
Jan. 1, 2000.
Note 3 - Inventories
Components of inventories as of Sept. 30, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2000,
were as follows:
Sept. 30, Dec. 31,
2001 2000
------ ------
Finished goods $ 583 $ 753
Goods in process 442 267
Raw materials and supplies 327 259
---- ----
Inventories, at FIFO cost 1,352 1,279
Excess of FIFO over LIFO cost (27) (26)
---- ----
Total $1,325 $1,253
====== ======
6
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
Note 4 - Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) includes all non-shareowner changes in
equity and consists of net income (loss), foreign currency translation
adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities,
additional minimum pension liability adjustments and accumulated derivative
gains or losses on cash flow hedges not yet realized. Comprehensive loss
for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2000, was $168
million and $28 million, respectively. Comprehensive income for the nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2000, was $38 million and $194
million, respectively.
Note 5 - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Per Pro Forma Share
On Oct. 23, 2000, Monsanto sold 38,033,000 shares of its common stock
at $20 per share in an IPO. Subsequent to the offering, Pharmacia owned and
continues to own 220,000,000 shares of common stock, representing 85.2
percent ownership of Monsanto as of Sept. 30, 2001. The company also issued
10,000 restricted shares at the time of the IPO. During 2001, the company
issued an additional 45,500 restricted shares.
Basic earnings (loss) per common share for the three months and nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2001, were computed using the weighted average
number of common shares outstanding during the period (258,066,944 shares).
Diluted loss per common share for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2001,
was computed excluding the effect of dilutive potential common shares, as
Monsanto recognized a net loss for the quarter. Diluted earnings per common
share for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, was computed taking into
account the effect of dilutive potential common shares, calculated to be
5,539,088 shares. These dilutive potential common shares consist of
outstanding stock options. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per pro forma
share for the three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, were
computed using common shares outstanding (258,043,000 shares) immediately
after the IPO.
Note 6 - Extraordinary Item
In connection with the separation of Monsanto's businesses from those
of Pharmacia, and pursuant to the Employee Benefits and Compensation
Allocation Agreement between Pharmacia and Monsanto dated as of Sept. 1,
2000, certain assets and liabilities of the Pharmacia Corporation Savings
and Investment Plan (formerly known as the Monsanto Savings and Investment
Plan) (the "Pharmacia SIP") have been transferred to a new Monsanto Savings
and Investment Plan (the "Monsanto SIP"); and assets and liabilities of a
trust (the "Pharmacia ESOP"), established under the Pharmacia SIP were
restructured and divided between the Pharmacia ESOP and a trust established
under the Monsanto SIP (the "Monsanto ESOP"). This restructuring included
the restructuring of debt owed by the Pharmacia ESOP. Certain costs
associated with this debt restructuring were allocated to Monsanto,
resulting in a pretax extraordinary loss of $4 million ($2 million
after-tax) for the quarter ended June 30, 2001.
7
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
Note 7 - Restructuring and Other Special Items
In 2000, Monsanto's management formulated a plan as part of the
company's overall strategy to focus on certain key crops and streamline
operations. In connection with this plan, Monsanto incurred $261 million of
net charges in 2000. Restructuring and other special items, primarily
associated with the implementation of this plan, also were recorded in
2001. These charges totaled $81 million pretax ($51 million after-tax) for
the first nine months of 2001, with $12 million ($8 million after-tax)
recorded in the third quarter. The pretax components of the restructuring
and other special items for the three months and nine months ended Sept.
30, 2001, were as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, 2001 Sept. 30, 2001
-------------- --------------
Workforce Reductions $ 1 $ 21
Facility Closures / Exit Costs 4 22
Asset Impairments:
Inventories 2 13
Other current assets 2 6
Property, plant and equipment - net 2 10
Other intangible assets - net -- 2
Other Special Items 1 7
----- -----
Total Pretax Charge $ 12 $ 81
===== =====
The workforce reduction costs for the three months and nine months
ended Sept. 30, 2001, included involuntary employee separation costs for
approximately 30 and 260 employees worldwide, respectively, including
positions in administration, manufacturing, and research and development
related to non-core programs. The affected employees are entitled to
receive severance benefits pursuant to established severance policies or by
governmentally mandated labor regulations. Facility closures and other exit
costs included expenses associated with contract terminations, equipment
dismantling and disposal, and other shutdown costs resulting from the exit
of certain research programs and non-core activities. The asset impairments
were related to property, plant and equipment, other current assets and
other intangible assets. In addition, $2 million and $13 million related to
the write-off of inventories was recorded within cost of goods sold for the
three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, respectively. The
company expects these employee reductions, asset dispositions and other
exit activities to be completed by Dec. 31, 2001. Cash payments to complete
this restructuring plan will be funded from operations and are not expected
to significantly affect the company's liquidity. For the nine months ended
Sept. 30, 2001, a total charge of $7 million was recorded within other
expense - net, for the impairment of equity securities caused by adverse
business developments of the investees.
In the third quarter of 2000, Monsanto recorded a pretax charge of $26
million to operations, consisting of workforce reduction costs of $21
million, asset impairments of $3 million, and other exit costs of $2
million. Results for the first nine months of 2000 included a net pretax
charge of $183 million. This net pretax charge consisted of asset
impairments of $132 million, workforce reduction costs of $52 million,
other exit costs of $3 million and a $4 million reversal of previously
established restructuring reserves. These asset impairments during the same
period consisted of $32 million for laureate oil inventories, $87 million
for intangible assets (including $84 million of goodwill) and $13 million
for equipment write-offs. The workforce reduction charges during this
period reflected involuntary employee separation costs for 590 employees
worldwide.
8
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
These amounts were recorded in the Statement of Consolidated Income
(Loss) in the following categories:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------------------ -----------------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Cost of Goods Sold $(2) $ -- $(13) $ (32)
Restructuring charges - net (9) (26) (61) (67)
Amortization and adjustments of goodwill --- -- -- (84)
Other Expense - net (1) -- (7) --
--- ---- ---- -----
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (12) (26) (81) (183)
Income tax benefit (provision) 4 5 30 39
--- ---- ---- -----
Net Income (Loss) $(8) $(21) $(51) $(144)
=== ==== ==== =====
Activities related to restructuring and other special items for the
nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, were as follows:
Facility
Workforce Closures/ Asset
Reductions Exit Costs Impairments Other Total
---------- ---------- ----------- ----- -----
Restructuring and Other Special Items
-------------------------------------
Jan. 1, 2001 reserve balance $30 $ 6 $-- $ 2 $ 38
Additions during 2001:
First quarter actions 15 4 3 -- 22
Second quarter actions 5 14 22 6 47
Third quarter actions 1 4 6 1 12
Costs charged against reserves (26) (18) -- (2) (46)
Reclassification of reserves to other
balance sheet accounts:
Inventories -- -- (13) -- (13)
Other current assets -- -- (6) (7) (13)
Property, plant and equipment - net -- -- (10) -- (10)
Other intangible assets - net -- -- (2) -- (2)
--- --- --- --- ---
Sept. 30, 2001 reserve balance $25 $10 $-- $ -- $35
=== === === === ===
During the first three quarters of 2001, $9 million was paid to former
employees whose involuntary termination benefits were recorded in 2000, but
elected to defer payment until 2001. For the first three quarters of 2001,
approximately 240 former employees received cash severance payments
totaling $17 million. Exit costs of $18 million associated with contract
terminations, equipment dismantling and disposal were also paid during the
nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001.
Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies
Monsanto is a party to litigation in its own name and is also a party
to a number of lawsuits for which Monsanto assumed responsibility upon its
separation from Pharmacia, all of which Monsanto is vigorously defending.
Such matters relate to a variety of issues. Certain of the lawsuits and
claims seek damages in very large amounts, or seek to restrict the
company's business activities. Although the results of litigation cannot be
predicted with certainty, it is management's belief that the final outcome
of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on Monsanto's
financial position, profitability or liquidity.
9
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
In April 1999, a jury verdict was returned against DEKALB Genetics
Corporation (which is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Monsanto) (DEKALB
Genetics), in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in North Carolina. The
lawsuit was brought by Aventis CropScience S.A. (formerly Rhone Poulenc
Agrochimie S.A.) (Aventis), claiming that a 1994 license agreement was
induced by fraud stemming from DEKALB Genetic's nondisclosure of relevant
information and that DEKALB Genetics did not have the right to license,
make or sell products using Aventis' technology for glyphosate resistance
under this agreement. The jury awarded Aventis $15 million in actual
damages for unjust enrichment and $50 million in punitive damages. DEKALB
Genetics has appealed this verdict, believes it has meritorious grounds to
overturn the verdict and intends to vigorously pursue all available means
to have the verdict overturned. No provision has been made in Monsanto's
consolidated financial statements with respect to the award for punitive
damages.
On March 20, 1998, a jury verdict was returned against Pharmacia in a
lawsuit filed in the California Superior Court. The lawsuit was brought by
Mycogen Corporation (Mycogen), Agrigenetics, Inc. and Mycogen Plant
Science, Inc. claiming that Pharmacia delayed providing access to certain
gene technology under a 1989 agreement with Lubrizol Genetics Inc., a
company which Mycogen subsequently purchased. The jury awarded $174.9
million in future damages. This jury award was overturned on appeal by the
California Court of Appeals. The California Supreme Court has granted
Mycogen's petition requesting further review. Monsanto will continue to
vigorously pursue its position on appeal. No provision has been made in
Monsanto's consolidated financial statements with respect to this verdict.
Note 9 - Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Monsanto's business and activities expose it to a variety of market
risks, including risks related to the effects of changes in commodity
prices, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and to a lesser
degree security prices. These financial exposures are monitored and managed
by the company as an integral part of its market risk management program.
The company's market risk management program focuses on the
unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially
adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on operating
results. Monsanto's overall objectives for holding derivatives are to
minimize the risks using the most effective methods to eliminate or reduce
the effects of these exposures.
During 2001, in order to reduce credit exposure in Latin America, the
company began collecting payments on certain customer accounts receivable
in grain. In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-19,
Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal and Net as an Agent, the company
recorded revenues of approximately $50 million in the Seeds and Genomics
segment during the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, related to the sale of
grain, which was received as payment on account from customers. Such
payments in grain are negotiated at the time the company's products are
sold to its customers and are based on prevailing grain commodity prices on
that day. By entering into forward sales contracts with grain merchants,
the company hedges the commodity price exposure 100 percent for the full
term until the grain is collected from the customer and is sold to a grain
merchant. Revenue on sale of grain is virtually offset by cost of sales,
with minimal contribution to gross profit.
Fair Value Hedges
The company uses futures and option contracts to manage the value of
its corn and soybean seed inventories that the company buys from growers.
Generally, the company hedges from 70 percent to 100 percent of the corn
and soybean inventory value, depending on the crop and grower pricing.
From time to time, interest rate swap agreements are used to reduce
interest rate risks and to manage interest exposure. Monsanto may from time
to time use interest rate swaps to convert a portion of its fixed-rate debt
into variable-rate debt. The resulting cost of funds may be lower than it
would have been if variable-rate debt had been issued directly. Under the
interest rate swap contracts, the company agrees with other parties to
exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and
floating-rate interest amounts, which is calculated based on an agreed-upon
notional amount.
The difference between the carrying value and fair value of hedged
items classified as fair value hedges was offset by the change in fair
value of the related derivatives. Accordingly, hedge ineffectiveness for
10
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
fair value hedges, determined in accordance with SFAS No. 133, had no
effect on earnings for the three months or nine months ended Sept. 30,
2001. No fair value hedges were discontinued for the three months or nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2001.
Cash Flow Hedges
The company enters into contracts with a number of its seed growers to
purchase their output at market prices in effect at the time when the
individual growers elect to fix their contract prices. As a hedge against
possible commodity price fluctuations, the company purchases corn and
soybean futures and options contracts. The futures contracts hedge the
commodity price paid for these commodity purchases while the options
contracts limit the unfavorable effect that potential price increases would
have on these purchases.
For the three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, Monsanto
recognized a net loss of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, within
cost of goods sold, which represented the ineffectiveness of all cash flow
hedges. These amounts represent the portion of the derivatives' fair value
that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. No cash flow
hedges were discontinued during the three months or nine months ended Sept.
30, 2001.
As of Sept. 30, 2001, $4 million of after-tax deferred net losses on
derivative instruments accumulated in other comprehensive income are
expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next 12 months. The
actual sales of the inventory, which are expected to occur over the next 12
months, will necessitate reclassifying the derivative losses into earnings.
The maximum term over which the company is hedging exposures to the
variability of cash flow (for all forecasted transactions, excluding
interest payments on variable-rate debt) is 18 months.
Foreign Currency Hedges
Monsanto is exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations related to
certain intercompany and third-party transactions. The company may purchase
foreign exchange options and forward exchange contracts as hedges of
anticipated sales and/or purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The
company enters into these contracts to protect itself against the risk that
the eventual dollar-net-cash flows will be adversely affected by changes in
exchange rates. The company purchases foreign currency exchange contracts
to hedge the adverse effects that fluctuations in exchange rates may have
on foreign currency-denominated third-party and intercompany receivables
and payables.
11
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
Note 10 - Segment Information
Monsanto manages its business in two segments: Agricultural
Productivity, and Seeds and Genomics. The Agricultural Productivity segment
consists of the crop protection products, animal agriculture, residential
lawn and garden products and environmental technologies businesses. The
Seeds and Genomics segment is comprised of the global seeds and related
traits businesses and genetic technology platforms. Sales between segments
were not significant. Business segment data, as well as reconciliation of
total Monsanto Company EBIT (earnings (loss) before extraordinary item,
cumulative effect of accounting change, interest and taxes) to income
(loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of accounting change
for the three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, and Sept. 30,
2000, is presented in the table that follows.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
----------------------- -----------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Net Sales:
Agricultural Productivity $ 691 $ 810 $ 3,073 $ 3,104
Seeds and Genomics 245 196 1,180 1,230
------- -------- ------- -------
Total Monsanto $ 936 $ 1,006 $ 4,253 $ 4,334
======= ======== ======= =======
EBIT:
Agricultural Productivity $ 91 $ 170 $ 865 $ 973
Seeds and Genomics (157) (215) (174) (376)
------- -------- ------- -------
Total Monsanto (66) (45) 691 597
Interest expense - net of interest income (11) (59) (55) (187)
Income tax benefit (provision) 32 40 (235) (183)
------- -------- ------- -------
Income (Loss) Before Extraordinary Item and
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change $ (45) $ (64) $ 401 $ 227
======= ======== ======= =======
Note 11 - Related Party Transactions
On Sept. 1, 2000, the company entered into a Transition Services
Agreement with Pharmacia, the company's majority shareowner. Under the
agreement, Monsanto provides certain administrative support services for
Pharmacia, while Pharmacia primarily provides information technology
support for Monsanto. In addition, the two companies pay various payroll
charges, taxes and travel costs that are associated with the business
activities of the other. Monsanto and Pharmacia also rent research
laboratory and office space from each other. Since Sept. 1, 2000, each
party has charged the other entity rent based on a percentage of occupancy
times the cost to operate the facilities. During the three months and nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2001, Monsanto recognized expenses of $16 million
and $49 million, respectively, and recorded a reimbursement of $11 million
and $34 million, respectively, for costs incurred on behalf of Pharmacia.
As of Sept. 30, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2000, the company had a net payable
balance (excluding dividends payable) of $59 million and a net receivable
balance (excluding dividends payable) of $99 million, respectively, with
Pharmacia. These balances were largely associated with transactions related
to the Separation Agreement.
Since the IPO closing date of Oct. 23, 2000, Pharmacia manages the
loans and deposits of Monsanto's ex-U.S. subsidiaries and is the
counter-party for all foreign currency exchange contracts. Interest rates
and fees are comparable to those that Monsanto would have incurred with a
third party. Effective June 30, 2001, certain subsidiaries of Monsanto
entered into an agency agreement with a Pharmacia subsidiary, whereby the
Pharmacia subsidiary now acts as the Monsanto subsidiaries' agent for
certain ex-U.S. treasury transactions. Under the agreement, certain
transactions, which were previously reflected as related party loans
receivable and payable, are now reflected as Monsanto intercompany
transactions. As of Sept. 30, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2000, Monsanto was in a
net borrowing position of $272 million and $430 million, respectively, with
Pharmacia. As of Sept. 30, 2001, and Dec. 31, 2000, the fair value of the
company's outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts was $2 million
and $3 million, respectively.
12
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED (continued)
On Sept. 26, 2001, Monsanto declared a quarterly dividend of $0.12 per
share and recorded a related dividend payable to Pharmacia of $26 million.
The second quarter dividend of $26 million was paid to Pharmacia during the
third quarter of 2001.
Note 12 - Subsequent Event
In October 2001, Monsanto and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
(DuPont) announced the resolution of issues related to Monsanto's MON810
YIELDGARD insect-protected corn trait used in Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Inc.'s (Pioneer's) corn hybrids. The resolution includes the dismissal of
several lawsuits regarding the development, licensing and sale of MON810
YIELDGARD products. Under this agreement, Pioneer, a DuPont subsidiary,
will continue to sell MON810 YIELDGARD insect-protected corn hybrids under
a royalty-bearing license from Monsanto. In addition, Monsanto will receive
a one-time fee of approximately $56 million. The major components of this
fee relate to Pioneer's past use of Monsanto's MON810 YIELDGARD product,
and royalties related to sales of MON810 YIELDGARD products sold during
2001. The portion of the fee related to Pioneer's past use of the product
will be recorded as other income during the fourth quarter of 2001.
Royalties related to MON810 YIELDGARD products sold during 2001 will be
recorded as trait revenues, also in the fourth quarter of 2001.
13
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
Monsanto Company and subsidiaries is comprised of the operations,
assets and liabilities that were previously the agricultural business of
Pharmacia Corporation (Pharmacia). This agricultural business was
transferred to Monsanto from Pharmacia on Sept. 1, 2000, pursuant to the
terms of a Separation Agreement dated as of that date.
The consolidated financial statements for all periods prior to Sept.
1, 2000, have been prepared on a carve-out basis, which reflects the
historical operating results, assets, and liabilities of these business
operations. The costs of certain services provided by Pharmacia during the
three months and nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, included in the
Statement of Consolidated Income (Loss) have been allocated to Monsanto
based on methodologies that management believes to be reasonable, but which
do not necessarily reflect what the results of operations, financial
position, or cash flows would have been had Monsanto been a separate,
stand-alone public entity during all periods prior to Sept. 1, 2000.
Monsanto is a global provider of technology-based solutions and
agricultural products for growers and downstream customers, such as grain
processors, food companies and consumers, in agricultural markets. The
combination of our herbicides, seeds and related genetic trait products
provides growers with integrated solutions to more efficiently and cost
effectively produce crops with higher yields, while controlling weeds,
insects and diseases.
Unless otherwise indicated, "Monsanto" and "the company", and
references to "we", "our" and "us", are used interchangeably to refer to
Monsanto Company or to Monsanto Company and consolidated subsidiaries, as
appropriate to the context. With respect to the time period prior to the
separation of Monsanto's businesses from those of Pharmacia on Sept. 1,
2000, references to "Monsanto" or "the company" also refer to the
agricultural business of Pharmacia. See Note 1 - Basis of Presentation - of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. In tables, all dollars are in
millions. Trademarks owned or licensed by Monsanto or its subsidiaries are
shown in all capital letters.
We manage our business in two segments: Agricultural Productivity, and
Seeds and Genomics. The Agricultural Productivity segment consists of our
crop protection products, animal agriculture, residential lawn and garden
products, and environmental technologies businesses. The Seeds and Genomics
segment is comprised of our global seed and related traits business and our
genetic technology platforms. Management's Discussion and Analysis should
be read in conjunction with Monsanto's Consolidated Financial Statements
and the accompanying notes. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q should be
read in conjunction with Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000, and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the periods
ended March 31, 2001, and June 30, 2001.
Financial information for the first nine months of 2001 should not be
annualized. Monsanto has historically generated the majority of its sales
during the first half of the year, primarily because of the timing of the
planting and growing season in the Northern Hemisphere.
The primary operating performance measure for our two segments is
earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest and taxes (EBIT). Total company EBIT declined 47 percent
to a loss of $66 million for the third quarter of 2001 from a loss of $45
million for the same period in the prior year. For the first nine months of
2001, total company EBIT increased 16 percent to $691 million from $597
million for the same period in the prior year. However, in 2001 and 2000
special items affected our results. Additionally, our seed company
acquisitions (primarily those that occurred in 1998) have resulted in
substantial amortization expense charges associated with goodwill and other
intangible assets. Accordingly, management believes that earnings before
extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting change, interest,
taxes, depreciation, amortization and special items (EBITDA (excluding
special items)) is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating
performance of our business. EBITDA (excluding special items) eliminates,
among other things, the effects of depreciation of tangible assets and
amortization of intangible assets, most of which resulted from the seed
company acquisitions accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.
14
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
It also eliminates the effects of the special items described under "Events
Affecting Comparability," and in Note 7 - Restructuring and Other Special
Items - of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The presentation of
EBITDA (excluding special items) is intended to supplement investors'
understanding of our operating performance. EBITDA (excluding special
items) may not be comparable to other companies' EBITDA performance
measures. It is not intended to replace net income (loss), cash flows,
financial position or comprehensive income (loss), as determined in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States. In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board approved
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142, Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 on Jan. 1, 2002,
Monsanto will no longer amortize goodwill. Monsanto has not yet determined
the effect adoption of this new accounting standard will have on EBIT or
EBITDA (excluding special items).
Results of Operations - Third Quarter 2001 Compared with Third Quarter 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net loss improved to $45 million, or $0.17 per share, for the third
quarter of 2001, compared with a net loss of $64 million, or $0.25 per pro
forma share, for the third quarter 2000. The results for the third quarters
of 2001 and 2000 included after-tax charges of $8 million and $21 million,
respectively, relating to restructuring and other special items. See
"Events Affecting Comparability" for further details. Excluding these
special items in both periods, net loss for the third quarter of 2001 would
have been $37 million, or a loss of $0.15 per share, compared with $43
million, or a loss of $0.17 per pro forma share, for the third quarter of
2000.
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,
------------------------
Total Monsanto Company and Subsidiaries: 2001 2000
---------------------------------------- ---- ----
Net sales $ 936 $1,006
======= ======
Loss before extraordinary item and cumulative
effect of accounting change $ (45) $ (64)
Add: Interest expense - net of interest income 11 59
Income tax provision (benefit) (32) (40)
------- ------
EBIT(1) (66) (45)
Add: restructuring & other special items 12 26
------- ------
EBIT (excluding special items) (54) (19)
Add: depreciation and amortization 145 135
------- ------
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $ 91 $ 116
======= ======
(1) Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
accounting change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
accounting change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and
restructuring and other special items.
Net sales declined 7 percent, or $70 million, to $936 million for the
three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared with $1.0 billion for the
three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2000. Foreign currency exchange rates
negatively affected sales by approximately 9 percent, with the largest
effect on our Latin American sales because of the devaluation of the
Brazilian real. Increased sales from our Seeds and Genomics segment were
offset by an overall decline in sales of our Agricultural Productivity
products. The increased Seeds and Genomics net sales can be attributed to
revenues from our Latin American grain sales program and higher trait
revenues that were partially attributable to a shift in timing. Lower sales
of ROUNDUP herbicide in Latin America and the United States contributed to
the Agricultural Productivity decrease.
For the three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, cost of goods sold
increased 1 percent to $552 million from cost of goods sold of $549 million
for the same period in 2000. Gross profit declined 16 percent, to $384
million for the third quarter of 2001 from $457 million for the third
quarter of 2000. Increased gross profit from improved performance of our
15
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Seeds and Genomics segment was more than offset by a decline in the gross
profit of our Agricultural Productivity segment. Total company gross profit
as a percent of sales declined four percentage points, from 45 percent in
the third quarter of 2000 to 41 percent during the same period this year.
This decline is largely attributable to lower prices due to the effects of
currency fluctuations and mix of ROUNDUP products sold.
Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased 8
percent to $275 million for the third quarter of 2001, compared with $300
million for the same period in 2000. SG&A expenses as a percent of sales
declined to 29 percent from 30 percent. Lower employee-related costs,
favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rates, and the absence of
amortization expense related to certain seed assets contributed to the
decline. This decline also reflected continued cost management efforts.
Research and development (R&D) expenses of $140 million for the third
quarter of 2001 were unchanged when compared with the third quarter of
2000, as most of our cost savings programs were already in place in 2000.
Amortization and adjustments of goodwill also remained relatively
unchanged, with expenses of $30 million in the third quarter of 2001,
compared with $29 million in the third quarter of 2000.
Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased more than 81
percent to $11 million for the third quarter of 2001, compared with $59
million for the third quarter of 2000. This decrease primarily reflects the
$2.9 billion reduction in debt resulting from our separation from Pharmacia
and our IPO in 2000. We also benefited from generally lower interest rates
and a lower level of commercial paper resulting from lower working capital
requirements during the quarter.
We recognized $4 million of other income during the third quarter of
2001, compared with $7 million of other expense during the same period last
year. The net other income primarily resulted from gains that were realized
upon the sale of shares of equity securities.
Income tax benefit decreased 20 percent to $32 million for the third
quarter of 2001 compared with $40 million for the same period in 2000. This
decrease was largely due to the 26 percent improvement in pretax loss
(before extraordinary item and the cumulative effect of accounting change)
in the third quarter of 2001 compared with the third quarter of 2000. The
effective tax rate increased to 42 percent for the three months ended Sept.
30, 2001, from 38 percent for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2000. The
higher effective tax rate in 2001 resulted from the difference in the mix
of earnings projected for 2001 versus those in 2000.
Agricultural Productivity Segment
---------------------------------
Our Agricultural Productivity segment consists of our crop protection
products (ROUNDUP and other glyphosate products and selective chemistries),
animal agriculture, ROUNDUP lawn and garden products, and environmental
technologies businesses.
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,
------------------
2001 2000
---- ----
Net sales $691 $810
==== ====
EBIT(1) $ 91 $170
Add: restructuring & other special items 8 6
-- --
EBIT (excluding special items) 99 176
Add: depreciation and amortization 59 52
--- ---
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $158 $228
==== ====
(1) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring
and other special items.
16
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
In the Agricultural Productivity segment, net sales declined 15
percent to $691 million for the third quarter of 2001, compared with $810
million in the third quarter of 2000. The quarter-over-quarter decrease was
primarily caused by lower sales of our ROUNDUP family of herbicides in the
Latin American and U.S. markets. Our animal agriculture business had
improved sales, along with a slight sales improvement in our ROUNDUP lawn
and garden business.
Worldwide net sales for our ROUNDUP herbicides and other glyphosate
products (excluding ROUNDUP lawn and garden) decreased 18 percent to $489
million for the third quarter of 2001 from $597 million for the same period
last year. Worldwide volumes of these products decreased by approximately 8
percent. The effects of currency fluctuations, mix of product sales and
actions taken in Latin America to reduce inventory levels held by
distributors contributed to the overall sales decline.
In the United States, the effect of 9 percent volume growth of our
ROUNDUP herbicide was more than offset by a significant average price
decline, primarily a function of the mix of products sold, as a new
lower-priced formulation of ROUNDUP, RT MASTER, was introduced. As a
result, sales of ROUNDUP (excluding ROUNDUP lawn and garden products) in
the United States decreased significantly. RT MASTER is formulated and
priced for conservation tillage use in the highly elastic wheat market,
which is a new market opportunity for ROUNDUP. Higher sales of lower priced
products, such as RT MASTER, have reduced our overall pricing this quarter.
Lower sales of ROUNDUP herbicide outside of the United States also
contributed to the net sales decline quarter-over-quarter. Lower volumes
and the effects of currency fluctuations in Latin America and Asia were
slightly offset by sales increases in Europe and Canada. During the third
quarter of 2001, sales volumes in Latin America were affected by our
strategic decision to concentrate our efforts on reducing inventory levels
held by distributors.
Net sales of our other Agricultural Productivity products decreased 5
percent, to $202 million in 2001 compared with net sales of $213 million in
2000. Improvements in our animal agriculture business, and to a lesser
extent, the ROUNDUP lawn and garden business, were offset by lower sales in
our selective chemistries business.
EBIT for the Agricultural Productivity segment decreased 46 percent,
to $91 million for the three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, as compared
with EBIT of $170 million for the same period in 2000. Special items
affected EBIT for the third quarters of 2001 and 2000. EBIT (excluding
special items) for the segment declined 44 percent, to $99 million for the
three-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, as compared with EBIT (excluding
special items) of $176 million for the same period in 2000. Gross profit as
a percent of sales for the segment declined by 3 percentage points. This
decline was largely attributable to lower prices, including the effects of
product mix and currency fluctuations, of the ROUNDUP portfolio of
products. Improved gross profit performance in our animal agriculture
business slightly mitigated the ROUNDUP gross profit decline. Quarterly
operating expenses for the Agricultural Productivity segment decreased 1
percent. However, as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses and R&D spending
increased four percentage points, primarily a function of lower sales.
Seeds and Genomics Segment
--------------------------
Our Seeds and Genomics segment consists of the global seeds and
related traits business and genetic technology platforms.
Three Months Ended
Sept. 30,
------------------
2001 2000
---- ----
Net sales $ 245 $ 196
===== =====
EBIT(1) $(157) $(215)
Add: restructuring & other special items 4 20
-- ---
EBIT (excluding special items) (153) (195)
Add: depreciation and amortization 86 83
--- ---
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $ (67) $(112)
===== =====
(1) Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
accounting change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
accounting change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and
restructuring and other special items.
17
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Net sales for the Seeds and Genomics segment increased 25 percent to
$245 million for the third quarter of 2001 from net sales of $196 million
in the same period in 2000. Our grain sales program in Latin America
contributed to the increase in net sales. This program, which reduces our
credit risk, increases net sales but contributes minimally to gross profit
and EBIT. See Note 9 - Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging
Activities - of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further
information. Sales also increased due to higher trait revenues for
Monsanto's soybean and cotton technologies. This increase was partially
driven by the new royalty pricing structure for ROUNDUP READY soybeans.
Starting with the 2002 selling season, we have eliminated the technology
fee paid to us by growers who plant YIELDGARD insect-protected corn,
ROUNDUP READY corn and ROUNDUP READY soybeans and replaced it with a
royalty paid by the seed companies licensed to market those products. The
new royalty pricing structure has shifted certain trait revenues from the
first half of 2002 to the second half of 2001. Additionally, a higher
soybean royalty for the 2001-2002 selling season contributed to the
increased revenues. These increases were partially offset by decreased seed
sales in Latin America, particularly in Brazil.
Seeds and Genomics gross profit increased 6 percent in the third
quarter of 2001 compared with gross profit in the third quarter of 2000,
primarily a result of higher biotechnology trait revenues. However, gross
profit as a percent of net sales fell six percentage points during the same
period. Excluding the effects of the grain sales program discussed above,
quarterly gross profit as a percentage of sales would have improved by
nearly three percentage points.
SG&A and R&D expenses decreased 17 percent and 3 percent,
respectively, for the third quarter of 2001 compared with those expenses in
the third quarter of 2000. Lower employee-related expenses, the absence of
amortization expense related to certain seed assets that became fully
amortized during the third quarter of 2000, and continued cost management
contributed to the SG&A decline. Our reduced R&D spending reflects the
actions we have taken to focus on core R&D programs. Gains on the sale of
equity securities more than offset losses from other equity affiliates,
resulting in other income in the third quarter of 2001.
EBIT for the Seeds and Genomics segment improved 27 percent to a loss
of $157 million in the third quarter of 2001 versus a loss of $215 million
in the third quarter 2000. However, special items affected the third
quarter of 2000, and to a lesser extent, the third quarter of 2001. EBIT
(excluding special items) for the Seeds and Genomics segment improved to a
loss of $153 million in the third quarter of 2001 versus a loss of $195
million in the third quarter of 2000, primarily resulting from lower
operating expenses.
Results of Operations - First Nine Months of 2001 Compared with First Nine
Months of 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monsanto reported net income of $399 million, or $1.55 per share, for
the first nine months of 2001 compared with net income of $201 million, or
$0.78 per pro forma share, for the first nine months of 2000. Both periods
included restructuring and other special items. The first nine months of
2001 and 2000 included after-tax charges of $51 million and $144 million,
respectively. See "Events Affecting Comparability" for further details. Net
income in 2001 also was affected by a $2 million after-tax extraordinary
loss, or $0.01 per share, related to the early retirement of ESOP debt,
while 2000 results included a cumulative effect of accounting change of $26
million after-tax, or $0.10 per pro forma share. Net income for the
nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, would have been $452 million, or
$1.71 per share, compared with $371 million, or $1.44 per pro forma share,
for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2000, excluding the restructuring
and other special items in both periods, the extraordinary item in 2001,
and the cumulative effect of an accounting change in 2000.
18
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
------------------------
Total Monsanto Company and Subsidiaries: 2001 2000
---------------------------------------- ---- ----
Net sales $ 4,253 $ 4,334
======= =======
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative
effect of accounting change $ 401 $ 227
Add: Interest expense - net of interest income 55 187
Income tax provision 235 183
------- -------
EBIT(1) 691 597
Add: restructuring & other special items 81 183
------- -------
EBIT (excluding special items) 772 780
Add: depreciation and amortization 414 410
------- -------
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $ 1,186 $ 1,190
======= =======
(1) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring
and other special items.
Net sales of $4.3 billion for the first nine months of 2001 declined 2
percent from net sales for the same period in 2000. The effects of foreign
exchange rates, particularly the Brazilian real, negatively affected sales
growth by nearly 4 percent. Conventional corn seed returns in Latin America
reduced sales within the Seeds and Genomics segment by approximately $120
million. Increased revenues from biotechnology traits - in particular,
soybean and stacked cotton traits - and increased revenues from certain
businesses within the Agricultural Productivity segment partially mitigated
the effects of currency fluctuations, the corn seed returns and lower
ROUNDUP sales.
Cost of goods sold increased 2 percent to $2.1 billion for the first
nine months of 2001, from $2.0 billion for the same period in 2000. Gross
profit decreased 5 percent to $2.2 billion for nine months ended Sept. 30,
2001, compared with gross profit of $2.3 billion for the same period last
year. During the nine-month period, gross profit as a percent of sales
declined 2 percentage points. Increased gross profit from biotechnology
trait revenues was more than offset by the negative effects of corn seed
returns in Latin America and lower gross profit in our Agricultural
Productivity segment during the first nine months of 2001 when compared
with the same period in 2000.
SG&A expenses as a percent of sales improved 2 percentage points.
These expenses declined 9 percent to $903 million for the nine-month period
ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared with SG&A expenses of $988 million for the
same period in 2000. This decrease was because of continued cost management
efforts and to a lesser extent, lower employee-related expenses and the
absence of amortization expense related to certain assets that became fully
amortized in the third quarter of 2000.
R&D expenses decreased 5 percent to $410 million for the nine-month
period ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared with $431 million for the nine-month
period ended Sept. 30, 2000. Our reduced R&D spending reflects the actions
we have taken to focus on certain key crops and eliminate certain research
projects.
In the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000, we wrote down $84 million of
goodwill associated with a decision to terminate certain nutrition
programs. Excluding this write-down, amortization of goodwill was
relatively unchanged in the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared with
the same period in 2000.
Interest expense, net of interest income, decreased nearly 71 percent
to $55 million for the first nine months of 2001, compared with $187
million for the first nine months of 2000. This decrease largely reflects
the $2.9 billion reduction in debt resulting from our separation from
Pharmacia and our IPO in 2000. Other expense, net of other income, of $24
million for the first nine months of 2001 declined $11 million from the
same period last year. In the current year, other income from a deferred
19
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
payout provision related to a past business divestiture, and gains on the
sale of equity securities offset other expenses related to impairments of
equity investments.
Income tax provision increased 28 percent to $235 million for the
nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared with $183 million for the
same period in 2000. This increase was largely due to the 55 percent
improvement in pretax income (before extraordinary item and cumulative
effect of accounting change) in the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001,
compared with the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2000. During the same
period, the effective tax rate decreased from 45 percent for the nine
months ended Sept. 30, 2000, to 37 percent for the nine months ended Sept.
30, 2001. This decrease was primarily a result of the non-deductibility of
the $84 million goodwill write-down in 2000 and, to a lesser extent, the
difference in the mix of earnings projected for 2001 versus 2000 earnings.
Agricultural Productivity Segment
---------------------------------
Our Agricultural Productivity segment consists of our crop protection
products (ROUNDUP and other glyphosate products and selective chemistries),
animal agriculture, ROUNDUP lawn and garden products, and environmental
technologies businesses.
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
-----------------
2001 2000
---- ----
Net sales $3,073 $3,104
====== ======
EBIT(1) $ 865 $ 973
Add: restructuring & other special items 48 15
--- ---
EBIT (excluding special items) 913 988
Add: depreciation and amortization 167 151
---- ----
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $1,080 $1,139
====== ======
(1) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring
and other special items.
In the Agricultural Productivity segment, net sales decreased 1
percent, or $31 million, to $3.1 billion for the first nine months of 2001
as compared with the same period last year. Lower herbicide sales offset
higher sales from other agricultural productivity businesses.
Worldwide net sales for our ROUNDUP herbicide and other glyphosate
products (excluding ROUNDUP lawn and garden) of $2.0 billion during the
first nine months of 2001 decreased 5 percent from $2.1 billion during the
same period last year. Volumes of these products increased 5 percent during
the period, but were offset by the 10 percent negative effect of mix and
price of products sold. Excluding the effects of currency fluctuations,
worldwide year-to-date price has declined more than 6 percent.
In the United States, volume growth of 9 percent was slightly offset
by a 7 percent decline in the prices of our ROUNDUP products, driven
primarily by product mix and marketing programs, resulting in an overall
increase in U.S. net sales. The overall increase in year-to-date U.S.
volumes is consistent with our strategy to provide unique formulations of
ROUNDUP (such as ROUNDUP ULTRAMAX and RT MASTER) and a range of products
within the ROUNDUP portfolio of products to encourage new uses. We also are
able to offer integrated solutions that give the farmer the choice to use a
combination of seeds, traits and herbicides.
Outside of the United States, net sales of ROUNDUP declined due to a
variety of factors. The effects of currency fluctuations in Brazil and
Japan, unfavorable weather conditions in Canada and Australia, and price
competition were the leading factors.
20
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Net sales of our other Agricultural Productivity products increased 7
percent, to $1.1 billion for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001, compared
with net sales of $990 million in 2000. ROUNDUP lawn and garden net sales
for the first nine months of 2001 increased over the same period last year,
primarily because of strong volume growth and price increases on certain
products. The results for the first nine months of 2001 also included sales
from a previously unconsolidated investment, which was consolidated
beginning in the second quarter of 2000 when we acquired a controlling
interest. This business supplies a key raw material for the manufacture of
our herbicides, including ROUNDUP. Global sales of acetanilide and other
herbicides were lower in the first nine months of 2001, primarily because
the company took advantage of a one-time U.S. acetanilide market
opportunity in 2000, which increased 2000 sales.
EBIT for the Agricultural Productivity segment declined 11 percent, to
$865 million for the nine-month period ended Sept. 30, 2001, as compared
with $973 million for the same period in 2000. EBIT for the first nine
months of 2001 and 2000 was affected by special items; Agricultural
Productivity EBIT (excluding special items) for the first nine months of
2001 of $913 million declined 8 percent, from $988 million for the same
period a year ago. Overall gross profit for the segment declined 6 percent,
with gross profit as a percent of sales dropping 3 percentage points. These
gross profit declines resulted primarily from lower ROUNDUP prices,
including the effects of currency and mix of products sold. Strong
performances by the ROUNDUP lawn and garden and animal agriculture
businesses, combined with improved cost management slightly mitigated these
margin shortfalls. Operating expenses for the Agricultural Productivity
segment declined 3 percent for the first nine months of 2001, reflective of
continued cost management.
Seeds and Genomics Segment
--------------------------
Our Seeds and Genomics segment consists of the global seeds and
related traits business and genetic technology platforms.
Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30,
-----------------
2001 2000
---- ----
Net sales $1,180 $1,230
====== ======
EBIT(1) $ (174) $ (376)
Add: restructuring & other special items 33 168
--- ----
EBIT (excluding special items) (141) (208)
Add: depreciation and amortization 247 259
---- ----
EBITDA (excluding special items) (2) $ 106 $ 51
====== ======
(1) Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of
accounting change, interest and taxes
(2) Earnings before extraordinary item, cumulative effect of accounting
change, interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and restructuring
and other special items.
Net sales for the Seeds and Genomics segment decreased 4 percent, or
$50 million, to $1.2 billion for the first nine months of 2001 from the
same period in 2000. This decline was largely a result of lower
conventional corn seed sales in Latin America, where
higher-than-anticipated returns of relatively high-priced corn seed
affected sales by approximately $120 million. These seed returns resulted
from a strategic decision made last year to sell higher performance corn
seed. However, farmers chose not to plant that seed, resulting in
substantial returns of relatively high-priced corn seed this year. In the
United States, increased revenues from biotechnology traits and higher
soybean seed sales offset lower conventional corn seed sales. The increase
in trait revenue was led by particularly strong results for Monsanto's
ROUNDUP READY soybean technology traits, including the effects of a higher
royalty rate in place for the 2001-2002 selling season. Increased cotton
trait revenue reflected higher demand for biotechnology traits,
particularly our stacked BOLLGARD and ROUNDUP READY traits. Our new royalty
pricing structure has shifted certain trait revenues from 2002 to the third
and fourth quarters of 2001. We estimate that our insect-resistant and
ROUNDUP READY technologies were used on approximately 84 million acres in
the United States during the 2001-growing season, an increase of 17 percent
over the previous year. Results for 2001 also include net sales of
21
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
approximately $50 million related to our grain sales program in Latin
America, which reduces our credit risk and increases net sales but
contributes minimally to gross profit and EBIT. See Note 9 - Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements for further information.
Year-to-date Seeds and Genomics gross profit declined 2 percent versus
the comparable period last year. However, gross profit as a percent of net
sales improved 1 percentage point during the same period. This is primarily
a result of proportionally higher margin trait revenues, which offset the
effects of the corn seed returns. Excluding the effects of our grain sales
program discussed above, gross profit as a percent of net sales would have
improved by more than 3 percentage points.
SG&A expenses and R&D expenses decreased 16 percent and 7 percent,
respectively, for the first nine months of 2001 compared with the first
nine months of 2000 primarily because of cost reductions, as we have
narrowed our focus to certain key crops. The absence of amortization
expense related to certain assets associated with a seed company
acquisition that became fully amortized in the third quarter of 2000 also
contributed to the decline in SG&A expenses. Other expense decreased $9
million in the current year. Impairments of equity investments and
increased losses from other equity affiliates were offset by a gain on the
sale of equity securities and a deferred payout provision related to a past
business divestiture.
Seeds & Genomics EBIT for the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2001,
improved to a loss of $174 million versus an EBIT loss of $376 million for
the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2000. Restructuring and other special items
affected EBIT during 2000 and, to a much lesser extent, 2001. EBIT
(excluding special items) for the Seeds and Genomics segment improved to a
loss of $141 million in the first nine months of 2001 versus a loss of $208
million in the first nine months of 2000. Increased revenues from
biotechnology traits and continued cost management drove the EBIT
improvement and offset the effects of lower corn seed sales.
Our Agreement with The Scotts Company
-------------------------------------
In 1998, Monsanto entered into an agency and marketing agreement with
Scotts with respect to our ROUNDUP lawn and garden business. Under the
agreement, beginning in the fourth quarter of 1998, Scotts was obligated to
pay us a $20 million fixed fee each year to defray costs associated with
the ROUNDUP lawn and garden business. Scotts' payment of a portion of this
fee owed in each of the first three years of the agreement is deferred and
required to be paid at later dates, together with interest. Monsanto is
accruing the $20 million fixed fee per year owed by Scotts ratably over the
periods during which it is being earned as a reduction of selling, general
and administrative expenses. We also are accruing interest on the amounts
owed by Scotts and including such amounts in interest income. The total
amount owed by Scotts, including accrued interest, was $47 million as of
Sept. 30, 2001, and $42 million as of Dec. 31, 2000. Scotts is required to
begin paying these deferred amounts at $5 million per year in monthly
installments beginning Oct. 1, 2002.
Events Affecting Comparability
------------------------------
In 2000, Monsanto's management formulated a plan as part of the
company's overall strategy to focus on certain key crops and streamline
operations. Total pretax charges from this plan are expected to be
approximately $425 million to $475 million, including $261 million of net
charges incurred in 2000 and $81 million in the first nine months of 2001.
The first, second and third quarter 2001 charges were primarily associated
with employee termination severance costs and facility closures related to
certain R&D programs and non-core activities. For the nine months ended
Sept. 30, 2001, a total charge of $7 million was recorded for the
recognition of impairments of equity investments because of adverse
business developments of the investees.
In the third quarter of 2000, Monsanto recorded a pretax charge of $26
million to operations, consisting of workforce reduction costs of $21
million, asset impairments of $3 million, and other exit costs of $2
million. Results for the first nine months of 2000 included a net pretax
charge of $183 million. This net pretax charge consisted of asset
impairments of $132 million, workforce reduction costs of $52 million,
other exit costs of $3 million, and a $4 million reversal of previously
established restructuring reserves. These asset impairments during the same
22
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
period consisted of $32 million for laureate oil inventories, $87 million
for intangible assets (including $84 million of goodwill) and $13 million
for equipment write-offs. The workforce reduction charges during this
period reflected involuntary employee separation costs for 590 employees
worldwide.
These amounts were recorded in the Statement of Consolidated Income
(Loss) in the following categories:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
Sept. 30, Sept. 30,
------------------------------ ------------------------------
2001 2000 2001 2000
---- ---- ---- ----
Cost of Goods Sold $ (2) $ -- $(13) $ (32)
Restructuring charges - net (9) (26) (61) (67)
Amortization and adjustments of goodwill -- -- -- (84)
Other Expense - net (1) -- (7) --
----- ---- ---- ------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (12) (26) (81) (183)
Income tax benefit (provision) 4 5 30 39
----- ---- ---- ------
Net Income (Loss) $ (8) $(21) $(51) $ (144)
===== ==== ==== ======
Additional charges in the range of approximately $85 million to $135
million are expected to be incurred as we plan to continue to streamline
our manufacturing operations and stringently focus our R&D programs. The
remaining restructuring charges we expect to incur relate primarily to
facility closures and employee severance and will be recorded during the
last quarter of 2001 as plans are finalized, approved, and the appropriate
communications to employees occur. We expect to fully implement these
actions by the end of 2002. Cash payments to complete our restructuring
plan will be funded from operations and are not expected to significantly
affect our liquidity. We anticipate that our restructuring plan will yield
annual cash savings of approximately $100 million. See Note 7 -
Restructuring and Other Special Items - of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements for further details.
Changes in Financial Condition - Sept. 30, 2001 Compared with Dec. 31, 2000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sept. 30, 2001 Dec. 31, 2000
-------------- -------------
Working capital $2,391 $2,216
Current ratio 1.86:1 1.80:1
Debt-to-total capitalization 23% 19%
Our working capital at Sept. 30, 2001, increased 8 percent, or $175
million, from Dec. 31, 2000, working capital of $2.2 billion. Accounts
receivable increased because of the seasonality of our business, partially
offset by fluctuations in currency, primarily related to the Brazilian
real. As part of our focus on receivables management, year-to-date
worldwide collections increased 10 percent from the first nine months of
2000. Net accounts receivable as a percent of the last 12 months' sales
remained flat with last year's net accounts receivable percentage at 55
percent.
Our Sept. 30, 2001, debt levels are significantly higher than those of
Dec. 31, 2000, because of seasonal working capital requirements. Under our
debt structure, we use short-term commercial paper to fund our operating
cash requirements. Accounts payable decreased from year-end primarily
because of the payment of significant payables related to the construction
of a new glyphosate manufacturing facility in Brazil, which began
operations in the fourth quarter of 2001. Other current liabilities
decreased from year-end primarily because of lower employee-related
liabilities, as well as customer prepayments that were applied early in
2001, but were received prior to Dec. 31, 2000. These factors are the main
contributors to our operating cash requirement. Total cash required by
operations increased $59 million for the first nine months of 2001 compared
with cash required by operations in the first nine months of 2000. This
increase was driven by higher accounts payable payments and inventories,
mostly offset by improved accounts receivable collections. Capital
expenditures declined $155 million from the first nine months of 2000 to
$292 million in the first nine months of 2001, as several glyphosate
expansion projects and seed production facilities were completed.
23
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
As of Sept. 30, 2001, the company's borrowings included a related
party loan payable of $279 million, a $356 million decrease from year-end.
Monsanto's net borrowing position with Pharmacia decreased to $272 million
at Sept. 30, 2001, from $430 million as of Dec. 31, 2000. We have committed
external borrowing facilities amounting to $1.5 billion that were unused as
of Sept. 30, 2001.
Related party transactions, excluding treasury cash management, during
the first nine months of 2001 and the last four months of 2000 (subsequent
to the separation) resulted in a net payable (excluding dividends payable)
of $59 million as of Sept. 30, 2001, and a net receivable (excluding
dividends payable) from Pharmacia of $99 million as of Dec. 31, 2000.
Transition services, payroll, pension and information technology costs
associated with the separation accounted for the outstanding balances.
New Accounting Standards
------------------------
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 144, Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, that replaces SFAS No.
121, Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of. SFAS No. 144 establishes an accounting model for
long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale that applies to all long-lived
assets, including discontinued operations. This statement is effective for
Monsanto on Jan. 1, 2002. In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143,
Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations. SFAS No. 143 addresses
financial accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the
retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated retirement
costs. This statement is effective for Monsanto on Jan. 1, 2003. Monsanto
has not yet determined the effect adoption of these standards will have on
its consolidated financial position or results of operations.
In June 2001, the FASB simultaneously approved SFAS No. 141, Business
Combinations and SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. SFAS
No. 141 requires the use of the purchase method of accounting for all
business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, thereby eliminating
the use of the pooling of interests method. The Business Combinations
statement also provides broader criteria for identifying the types of
acquired intangible assets that are required to be recognized separately
from goodwill and those acquired intangible assets that are required to be
included in goodwill. We are required to adopt the provisions of SFAS No.
141 on Jan. 1, 2002, with the exception of the immediate requirement to use
the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001. SFAS No. 141 also will require us to evaluate our
existing goodwill and other intangible assets and to make any necessary
reclassifications to conform with the new separation requirements at the
date of adoption.
SFAS No. 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an amortization
method to an impairment-only approach. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 on
Jan. 1, 2002, goodwill will no longer be amortized; rather, it will be
tested for impairment at least annually and in conjunction with an initial
goodwill impairment test to be performed in 2002. SFAS No. 142 requires
companies to record any impairment loss resulting from the initial
impairment test as an accounting change in accordance with Accounting
Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 20, Accounting Changes. Upon adoption of
SFAS No. 142, we will be required to reassess the useful lives and residual
values of all identifiable and recognized intangible assets and make any
necessary amortization period adjustments by March 31, 2002. SFAS No. 142
also will require recognized intangible assets with definite useful lives
to be amortized over such respective estimated lives and reviewed for
impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Any acquired and identifiable
intangible asset determined to have an indefinite useful life will not be
amortized, but instead tested for impairment in accordance with SFAS No.
142 until its life is determined to no longer be indefinite. We are
currently assessing our position but have not yet determined the effect
that the adoption of these standards will have on our consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
Monsanto adopted SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities, and its amendments on Jan. 1, 2001. These new
accounting standards establish accounting and reporting standards for
derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded
in other contracts, and hedge accounting. In accordance with the transition
provisions of SFAS No. 133, we recorded a $2 million, net-of-tax,
24
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
cumulative effect charge in other comprehensive income (loss) as of Jan. 1,
2001. This amount reflects the deferred amount of derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges. Substantially all of the transition
adjustment recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income will be
reclassified into earnings by Dec. 31, 2001. Upon adoption of SFAS No. 133,
the $19 million difference between the carrying value and fair value of
hedged items classified as fair value hedges was offset by the change in
fair value of the related derivatives. Accordingly, this transition
adjustment had no net effect on earnings or shareowners' equity.
Outlook - Update
----------------
Focused Strategy
----------------
We continue to face a difficult agricultural environment, with
commodity prices below historical levels and the effects of currency
fluctuations affecting the industry. This environment has continued to
affect grower income and liquidity, and thus, purchasing decisions. Despite
the conditions in the industry, Monsanto's integrated solution of products
and services provides a portfolio that continues to offer
cost-effectiveness and added value to farmers. We will continue to focus on
managing costs, in particular SG&A expenses, and to aggressively manage
working capital. As part of our emphasis on working capital, we have
focused on receivable collections and also have instituted more stringent
credit policies. The devaluation of the Brazilian real and the strong U.S.
dollar relative to other currencies may continue to affect our sales
growth. We anticipate that our controlled, focused approach to the business
will allow us to maintain an industry leadership position.
The first half of the fiscal year is largely focused on the peak
agricultural season in the Northern Hemisphere. During the second half of
the year, the Southern Hemisphere is increasingly important. As a result,
our fourth quarter 2001 growth is heavily dependent on conditions in the
key Latin American agricultural markets of Argentina and Brazil. We will
continue to closely track the economic conditions in those regions. We have
taken several steps to help us manage these businesses for profitability,
namely moving sales closer to the product use season, which occurs
September through December. Importantly, the agricultural markets in
Argentina and the soybean market in Brazil are export-oriented with grain
trading denominated largely in U.S. dollars. However, if the economic
conditions, including currency exchange rates, and conditions in the
agricultural markets deteriorate further, it could have a material adverse
effect on our financial position, profitability or liquidity, or increase
our credit risk in those countries. In addition, unusually wet weather
conditions in Argentina, and to a lesser extent in Brazil, may adversely
affect our sales during the fourth quarter of 2001.
ROUNDUP Post-Patent
-------------------
ROUNDUP continues to face competition from generic producers. In
certain markets outside the United States, patents protecting ROUNDUP
expired many years ago, and compound per se patent protection for the
active ingredient in ROUNDUP herbicide expired in the United States on
Sept. 20, 2000. A key driver for ROUNDUP growth in the future will be its
use in conjunction with conservation tillage systems, which help farmers
reduce soil erosion by replacing plowing with the judicious use of
herbicides to control weeds. We believe that there is significant value yet
to be gained through growth in conservation tillage and in ROUNDUP READY
crops.
We expect to continue to selectively reduce prices through new
formulations, discounts, rebates or other promotional strategies to
encourage new uses and to increase our sales volumes. This strategy likely
will result in a reduction in our gross margin, consistent with the gross
margin reduction in recent years, as we have proactively and consistently
implemented a price-elasticity strategy. In addition, as other agricultural
chemical suppliers have access to glyphosate in the United States, their
pricing policies may cause downward pressure on our prices. While there can
be no assurance that any increases in volumes will offset price reductions,
this generally has been our experience in world areas outside of the United
States. In Brazil, the overall demand for glyphosate is growing but the
industry is reducing its inventory levels. We have taken certain steps to
minimize the effect on our business and will continue to monitor the
situation.
25
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Seed Biotechnology
------------------
We continue to address concerns raised by consumers and public
interest groups, and questions raised by government regulators regarding
agricultural and food products developed through biotechnology. We are
committed to addressing concerns regarding food products developed through
biotechnology, and to achieving greater acceptance, efficient regulation
and timely commercialization of biotechnology products. During the first
nine months of 2001, progress was made on the biotechnology regulatory
fronts in several countries. Earlier in the year, Monsanto's new ROUNDUP
READY corn product received Japanese import approval. This product had
previously received both U.S. food and feed approvals and was introduced in
limited quantities this year in the United States. In April 2001,
regulatory authorities approved the planting of ROUNDUP READY cotton in
Argentina. This is the fourth Monsanto biotechnology trait approved for use
there, and the first since 1998. Argentina is currently second only to the
United States in the planting of crops improved through biotechnology. Also
in 2001, the European Union (EU) stated its commitment to restart its
regulatory processes, and proposed several directives and rules to govern
the approval process for all biotechnology products. However, there is not
yet a consensus among Member States about how to proceed. The Commission is
expected to continue its effort to address Member State concerns, but it is
not yet clear when the approval process will restart. Research recently
published by the EU Commissioner for Research and Technology concluded that
there is no evidence that crops and foods derived from biotechnology are
any less safe than conventional foods. In October 2001, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency granted extensions to our registrations to
sell our insect-protected BOLLGARD and YIELDGARD technologies to U.S.
farmers. In Brazil, we are focused on completing the steps necessary for
approval of ROUNDUP READY soybeans. Although it is not possible to predict
the approval timetables of regulatory and legal bodies, we remain
cautiously optimistic for a limited commercial launch this year.
We also continue to address concerns regarding, and issues arising
from, the unintended (adventitious) presence of biotechnology materials in
seed, crops or food. For example, during 2001 we participated in a
voluntary withdrawal of canola seed because of the presence of trace levels
of a biotechnology trait that had not yet been approved in a major
importing country. We have also participated in discussions with the
Japanese government concerning the detection of certain of our
biotechnology traits in potato snack products. We expect these types of
issues to continue to arise. We are addressing the issue of adventitious
presence through our own seed quality programs, by working with others in
the seed industry, and by continuing to press for the establishment of
explicit thresholds for the adventitious presence of biotechnology traits.
Starting with the 2002 selling season, we have eliminated the
technology fee paid to us by growers who plant YIELDGARD insect-protected
corn, ROUNDUP READY corn and ROUNDUP READY soybeans and replaced it with a
royalty paid by the seed companies licensed to market those products. The
new royalty pricing structure, which will make the purchase of seed with
Monsanto's traits simpler, has resulted in a shift in certain trait
revenues from the first two quarters of 2002 to the last two quarters of
2001.
In October 2001, Monsanto and E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
(DuPont) announced the resolution of issues related to Monsanto's MON810
YIELDGARD insect-protected corn trait used in Pioneer Hi-Bred International
Inc.'s (Pioneer's) corn hybrids. The resolution includes the dismissal of
several lawsuits regarding the development, licensing and sale of MON810
YIELDGARD products. Under this agreement, Pioneer, a DuPont subsidiary,
will continue to sell MON810 YIELDGARD insect-protected corn hybrids under
a royalty-bearing license from Monsanto. In addition, Monsanto will receive
a one-time fee of approximately $56 million. The major components of this
fee relate to Pioneer's past use of Monsanto's MON810 YIELDGARD product,
and royalties related to sales of MON810 YIELDGARD products sold during
2001. The portion of the fee related to Pioneer's past use of the product
will be recorded as other income during the fourth quarter of 2001.
Royalties related to MON810 YIELDGARD products sold during 2001 will be
recorded as trait revenues, also in the fourth quarter of 2001.
Other Information
-----------------
As discussed in Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies - of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements, Monsanto is involved in a number of
lawsuits and claims relating to a variety of issues. Many of these lawsuits
relate to intellectual property disputes. We expect that such disputes will
continue to occur as the agricultural biotechnology industry continues to
evolve.
26
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
This Outlook section should be read in conjunction with outlook
information in our annual report for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2000,
which is incorporated by reference into our annual report on Form 10-K. For
additional information regarding the outlook for Monsanto, see "Cautionary
Statements Regarding Forward- Looking Information," below.
Euro Conversion
---------------
On Jan. 1, 1999, 11 of the 15 member countries of the European Union
established fixed conversion rates between their national currencies and
the euro. Greece joined the original 11 in early 2001. During the
transition period, from Jan. 1, 1999, until Jan. 1, 2002, both the national
currencies and the euro will be legal currencies. Beginning Jan. 1, 2002,
the euro will be the sole legal tender for commercial transactions in these
countries.
As of Jan. 1, 1999, we began to engage in euro-denominated
transactions and were legally compliant. We expect to have all affected
information systems fully converted by December 2001. We do not expect the
euro conversion to have a material effect on our competitive position,
business operations, financial position or results of operations.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
-----------------------------------------------------------
Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, companies
are provided with a "safe harbor" for making forward-looking statements
about the potential risks and rewards of their strategies. We believe it is
in the best interest of our shareowners to use these provisions in
discussing future events. However, we are not required to, and you should
not rely on us to, revise or update these statements or any factors that
may affect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise. Forward-looking statements include our business plans;
the potential for the development, regulatory approval, and public
acceptance of new products; other factors that could affect our future
operations or financial position, and other statements that are not matters
of historical fact. Such statements often include the words "believes,"
"expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or similar
expressions.
Our ability to achieve our goals depends on many known and unknown
risks and uncertainties, including changes in general economic and business
conditions. These factors could cause our actual performance and results to
differ materially from those described or implied in forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to, those discussed below.
Competition for ROUNDUP: The family of ROUNDUP herbicides is a major
product line. Patents protecting ROUNDUP in several countries expired in
1991, and compound per se patent protection for the active ingredient in
ROUNDUP herbicide expired in the United States in September 2000. These
herbicides are likely to face increasing competition in the future,
primarily in the United States. We believe that we can compensate for
increased competition both within and outside the United States and
continue to increase revenues and maintain profits from ROUNDUP through a
combination of (1) marketing strategy, (2) pricing strategy, and (3)
decreased production costs.
Marketing Strategy: We expect to increase ROUNDUP sales by encouraging
new uses (especially conservation tillage), providing unique formulations
and services and offering integrated seed and biotech solutions. The
success of our ROUNDUP marketing strategy will depend on the continued
expansion of conservation tillage practices and of ROUNDUP READY seed
acreage, and on our ability to develop services and marketing programs that
are attractive to our customers.
27
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Pricing Strategy: Historically, we have selectively reduced the net
sales price of ROUNDUP worldwide in order to increase volumes and penetrate
new markets. This price elasticity strategy is designed to increase demand
for ROUNDUP by making ROUNDUP more economical, encouraging both new uses of
the product and expansion of the number of acres treated. Our experience in
numerous markets worldwide has been that price reductions have generally
stimulated volume growth. However, such volume increases also may have been
influenced by a variety of other factors, such as weather; launch of new
products including ROUNDUP READY crops; competitive products and practices;
and an increase in agricultural acres planted. Conditions, and therefore
volume trends experienced to date, may or may not continue.
Production Cost Decreases: We also believe that increased volumes and
technological innovations will lead to efficiencies that will reduce the
production cost of glyphosate. As part of this strategy, we have entered
into agreements to supply glyphosate to other herbicide producers. Such
cost reductions will depend on realizing such increased volumes and
innovations, and securing the resources required to expand production of
ROUNDUP.
Realization and Introduction of New Products: Our ability to develop
and introduce to market new products, particularly new agricultural
biotechnology products, will be dependent, among other things, upon the
availability of sufficient financial resources to fund research and
development needs; the success of our research efforts; our ability to gain
consumer acceptance and regulatory approvals; the demonstrated
effectiveness of our products; our ability to produce new products on a
large scale and to market them economically; our ability to develop,
purchase or license required technology; and the existence of sufficient
distribution channels.
Governmental and Consumer Acceptance: The commercial success of
agricultural and food products developed through biotechnology will depend
in part on government and public acceptance of their cultivation,
distribution and consumption. We continue to work with consumers, customers
and regulatory bodies to encourage understanding of modern biotechnology,
crop protection and agricultural biotechnology products. Biotechnology has
enjoyed and continues to enjoy substantial support from the scientific
community, regulatory agencies and many governmental officials around the
world. However, public attitudes may be influenced by claims that
genetically modified plant products are unsafe for consumption or pose
unknown risks to the environment or to traditional social or economic
practices, even if such claims have little or no scientific basis. The
development and sales of our products have been, and may in the future be,
delayed or impaired because of adverse public perception or extreme
regulatory caution in assessing the safety of our products and the
potential effects of these products on other plants, animals, human health
and the environment.
Securing governmental approvals for, and consumer confidence in,
products developed through biotechnology poses numerous challenges,
particularly outside the United States. If crops grown from seeds that were
developed through biotechnology are not yet approved for import into
certain markets, growers in other countries may be restricted from
introducing or selling their grain. In addition, because some markets have
not approved these products, some companies in the food industry have
sought to establish supplies of non-genetically-modified crops, or have
refused to purchase crops grown from seeds developed through biotechnology.
Resulting concerns about marketability of these products may deter farmers
from planting them, even in countries where planting and consumption have
been fully approved.
Regulatory Approvals: The field testing, production and marketing of
our products are subject to extensive regulations and numerous government
approvals, which vary widely among jurisdictions. Obtaining necessary
regulatory approvals can be time-consuming and costly, and there is no
guarantee of success. Regulatory authorities can block the sale or import
of our products, order recalls, and prohibit planting of seeds containing
our technology. As agricultural biotechnology continues to evolve, new
unanticipated restrictions and burdensome regulatory requirements may be
imposed. In addition, international agreements may also affect the
treatment of biotechnology products.
Seed Quality and Adventitious Presence: The detection of unintended
(adventitious) biotechnology traits in pre-commercial seed, commercial seed
varieties or the crops and products produced can negatively affect our
28
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
business or results of operations. The detection of adventitious presence
can result in the withdrawal of seed lots from sale, or in governmental
regulatory compliance actions such as crop destruction or product recalls
in some jurisdictions. Concerns about seed quality related to biotechnology
could also lead to additional regulations on our business, such as
regulations related to testing procedures, mandatory governmental reviews
of biotechnology advances, or the integrity of the food supply chain from
the farm to the finished product. Together with other seed companies and
industry associations, we are actively seeking sound, science-based rules
and regulatory interpretations that would clarify the legal status of trace
adventitious amounts of biotechnology traits in seed, crops and food. This
will likely involve the establishment of appropriate threshold levels for
the adventitious presence of biotechnology traits, and validated,
standardized testing and analyses methods. Although we believe that
thresholds are already implicit in existing laws, the establishment of
appropriate explicit thresholds would clearly render adventitious presence
acceptable if it is below the established threshold amounts.
Intellectual Property: We have devoted significant resources to
obtaining and maintaining our intellectual property rights, which are
material to our business. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights,
trademarks and trade secrets, confidentiality provisions, Plant Variety
Protection Act registrations and licensing arrangements to establish and
protect our intellectual property. We seek to preserve our intellectual
property rights and to operate without infringing the proprietary rights of
third parties. Intellectual property positions are becoming increasingly
important within the agricultural biotechnology industry.
There is some uncertainty about the value of available patent
protection in certain countries outside the United States. Moreover, the
patent positions of biotechnology companies involve complex legal and
factual questions. Rapid technological advances and the number of companies
performing such research can create an uncertain environment. Patent
applications in the United States are kept secret, and outside the United
States, patent applications are published 18 months after filing.
Accordingly, competitors may be issued patents from time to time without
any prior warning to us. That could decrease the value of similar
technologies that we are developing. Because of this rapid pace of change,
some of our products may unknowingly rely on key technologies already
patent-protected by others. If that should occur, we must obtain licenses
to such technologies in order to continue to use them.
Certain of our seed germplasm and other genetic material, patents, and
licenses are currently the subject of litigation and additional future
litigation is anticipated. Although the outcome of such litigation cannot
be predicted with certainty, we will continue to defend and litigate our
positions vigorously. We believe that we have meritorious defenses and
claims in the pending suits.
Technological Change and Competition: A number of companies are
engaged in plant biotechnology research. Technological advances by others
could render our products less competitive. In addition, the ability to be
first to market a new product can result in a significant competitive
advantage. We believe that competition will intensify, not only from
agricultural biotechnology firms but from major agrichemical, seed and food
companies with biotechnology laboratories. Some of our agricultural
competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing
resources than we do.
Planting Decisions and Weather: Our business is highly seasonal. It is
subject to weather conditions and natural disasters that affect commodity
prices, seed yields, and grower decisions about purchases of seeds, traits
and herbicides. As they have for the last three years, crop commodity
prices continue to be at historically low levels. There can be no assurance
that this trend will not continue. These lower commodity prices affect
growers' decisions about the types and amounts of crops to plant and may
negatively influence sales of our herbicide and seed products.
29
MONSANTO COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS(continued)
Need for Short-Term Financing: Like many other agricultural companies,
we regularly extend credit to our customers to enable them to acquire
agricultural chemicals and seeds at the beginning of the growing season.
Our credit practices, combined with the seasonality of our sales, make us
dependent on our ability to obtain substantial short-term financing to fund
our cash flow requirements and on our ability to collect customer
receivables. Our need for short-term financing typically peaks in the
second quarter. Downgrades in our credit rating or other limitations on our
ability to access short-term financing, including our ability to re-finance
our short-term debt as it becomes due, would increase our interest costs
and adversely affect our sales and our profitability.
Litigation: We are involved in numerous major lawsuits regarding
contract disputes, intellectual property issues, biotechnology, antitrust
allegations and other matters. Adverse outcomes could subject us to
substantial damages or limit our ability to sell our products.
Markets Outside the United States: Sales outside the United States
make up a substantial portion of our revenues and we intend to continue to
actively explore international sales opportunities. Challenges that we face
in international markets include changes in foreign currency exchange
rates, changes in a specific country's or region's political or economic
conditions, weather conditions, trade protection measures, import or export
licensing requirements, and unexpected changes in regulatory requirements.
Weakened economies may cause future sales to decrease because customers may
purchase fewer goods in general, and also because imported products could
become more expensive for customers to purchase in their local currency.
Changes in exchange rates may affect our earnings, the book value of our
assets outside the United States, and our equity. Although we have
operations in virtually every region of the world, our ex-U.S. business is
principally conducted in Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, France, Japan
and Australia. Accordingly, events and conditions in those parts of the
world generally have a more significant impact on our operations than
similar changes in other ex-U.S. regions.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There are no material changes related to market risk from the
disclosures in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Dec. 31, 2000.
30
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement between us and Pharmacia
Corporation (Pharmacia), effective Sept. 1, 2000, we assumed responsibility
for legal proceedings primarily related to the agricultural business. As a
result, although Pharmacia may remain the named defendant or plaintiff in
these cases, we will manage the litigation. In addition, in the proceedings
where Pharmacia is the defendant, we will indemnify Pharmacia for costs,
expenses and any judgments or settlements; and in the proceedings where
Pharmacia is the plaintiff, we will pay the fees and costs of, and receive
any benefits from, this litigation. While the results of litigation cannot
be predicted with certainty, we do not believe these matters or their
ultimate disposition will have a material adverse effect on our financial
position, profitability or liquidity. The following updates certain
proceedings to which Pharmacia or we are a party and for which we are
responsible. Other information with respect to legal proceedings appears in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2000 and in our
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the periods ending March 31 and June 30,
2001. In the following discussion, trademarks owned or licensed by Monsanto
or its subsidiaries are shown in all capital letters.
As described on Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000, on March 19, 1996, Monsanto filed suit in the United
States District Court in Delaware seeking $76 million in damages and
injunctive relief against Mycogen Plant Science Inc., Agrigenetics, Inc.
and Ciba-Geigy Corporation (now Novartis Seeds, Inc.) for infringement of
our patent relating to synthetic Bt genes. Trial of this matter ended June
30, 1998, with a jury verdict that while the patent was literally infringed
by the defendants, the patent was not enforceable due to a finding of prior
invention by another party and was not infringed due to the defense of the
reverse doctrine of equivalents. On Sept. 8, 1999, the district court
affirmed in part the jury's verdict on the issue of prior invention but
overturned the finding of non-infringement on the reverse doctrine of
equivalents. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed the
judgment of the District Court and on Oct. 30, 2001, Monsanto's application
for rehearing was denied.
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000 and in its quarterly report for the quarter ended June
30, 2001, on March 27, 1997, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. ("Pioneer")
filed an action against Monsanto regarding a 1993 license agreement for
insect-resistant corn technology ("Bt corn"). All claims by Pioneer were
dismissed, and Monsanto also prevailed at trial on counterclaims that
terminated the license for material breach and resulted in the award to
Monsanto of approximately $20 million in damages, interest and legal fees.
The court also ordered Pioneer to destroy specified biological material
discovered through the use of Monsanto's technology. The matter was
appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Effective Oct. 1, 2001, the parties settled all aspects of this litigation
and have filed motions dismissing all proceedings and noting that the
judgment has been satisfied. Pursuant to this settlement, Pioneer will
continue to sell the insect-resistant corn technology at issue in this case
(MON810 YIELDGARD insect-protected corn hybrids) under a royalty-bearing
license from Monsanto, and Monsanto will receive a one-time fee of
approximately $56 million. The major components of this fee relate to
Pioneer's past use of Monsanto's MON810 YIELDGARD product, and royalties
related to sales of MON810 YIELDGARD products sold during 2001.
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000 and in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001, on Nov. 20, 1997, Aventis
CropScience S.A. (formerly Rhone Poulenc Agrochimie S.A.) ("Aventis") filed
suit in the United States District Court in North Carolina against Monsanto
and DEKALB Genetics Corporation ("DEKALB Genetics") alleging that because
DEKALB Genetics failed to disclose a research report involving the testing
of plants to determine glyphosate tolerance, Aventis was induced by fraud
to enter into a 1994 license agreement relating to technology incorporated
into a specific type of herbicide-tolerant corn. Aventis also alleged that
DEKALB Genetics did not have a right to license, make or sell products
using Aventis technology for glyphosate resistance under the terms of the
1994 agreement. On April 5, 1999, the trial court rejected Aventis's claim
that the contract language did not convey a license. Jury trial of the
fraud claims ended April 22, 1999, with a verdict for Aventis and against
DEKALB Genetics. The jury awarded Aventis $15 million in actual damages and
$50 million in punitive damages. The trial was bifurcated to allow claims
for patent infringement and misappropriation of trade secrets to be tried
before a different jury. Jury trial on these claims ended June 3, 1999,
31
with a verdict for Aventis and against DEKALB Genetics. The district court
had dismissed Monsanto from both phases of the trial prior to verdict on
the legal basis that it was a bona fide licensee of the corn technology. On
or about Feb. 8, 2000, the district court affirmed both jury verdicts
against DEKALB Genetics, and enjoined DEKALB Genetics from future sales of
the specific type of herbicide-tolerant corn involved in the agreement
(other than materials held in DEKALB Genetics' inventory on June 2, 1999).
Judgment was entered March 10, 2000. DEKALB Genetics has filed an appeal of
the jury verdict and damage award with the United States Court of Appeals
for the Federal Circuit, and Aventis has filed an appeal to contest the
finding that Monsanto was a bona fide licensee. Oral argument on all issues
was held on Aug. 6, 2001. We, our licensees and DEKALB Genetics (to the
extent permitted under the district court's order and an agreement with
Aventis) continue to sell the specific type of herbicide-tolerant corn
pursuant to a royalty-bearing agreement with Aventis, entered prior to the
June 3, 1999, jury verdict. In addition, we and DEKALB Genetics are
replacing this specific type of herbicide-tolerant corn with new technology
not associated with Aventis's claims in this litigation. The district court
held an advisory jury trial which ended with a verdict in favor of Aventis
on Sept. 1, 2000, regarding claims that certain employees of Aventis should
be named as "co-inventor" on two patents issued to DEKALB Genetics. No
monetary relief was sought. DEKALB Genetics continues to deny that Aventis
employees should be named as "co-inventor" on the two patents since those
individuals made no inventive contribution. The parties have submitted
proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law on the verdict. DEKALB
Genetics will appeal any adverse final decision or judgment. An arbitration
was filed on May 27, 1999, in the name of Calgene LLC, our wholly-owned
subsidiary, claiming that as a former partner of Aventis, Calgene LLC is
entitled to at least half of any damages, royalties or other amounts
recovered by Aventis from us or DEKALB Genetics pursuant to these
proceedings. Calgene LLC's claim was denied by the arbitration panel and
Aventis has applied to the United States District Court in Delaware to
confirm the decision.
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended June 30, 2001, on Oct. 28, 1998, Pioneer filed two related lawsuits
seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages against DEKALB Genetics
and Asgrow Seed Company, LLC ("Asgrow"), another of our subsidiaries, in
the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa alleging
misappropriation of Pioneer trade secrets related to corn breeding. On Oct.
8, 1999, Pioneer added us and the prior owners of DEKALB Genetics and
Asgrow (Pfizer Inc. and The Upjohn Company, respectively) as defendants in
the litigation. In addition to state law trade secret misappropriation
claims, Pioneer alleges Lanham Act and patent law violations. Pioneer also
asserts that the defendants have violated an unspecified contractual
obligation not to conduct breeding using Pioneer germplasm. On July 17,
1999, the court denied without prejudice the defendants' motions to dismiss
the initial trade secret claims. On Jan. 4, 2000, the district court
allowed Pioneer to amend its claims to assert that the defendants infringed
its patents. On July 18, 2001, pursuant to a settlement agreement, a
Stipulated Order of Partial Dismissal was entered by the court, dismissing
all patent infringement claims. A trial readiness date of Nov. 2002 has
been assigned for trial of the remaining non-patent claims.
Enforcement of DEKALB Genetics' Patents
---------------------------------------
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000 and in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2001 and June 30, 2001, DEKALB Genetics, which
Monsanto acquired in Dec. 1998, has filed legal actions to enforce its
patents. On April 30, 1996, DEKALB Genetics filed patent infringement
actions in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Illinois against Pioneer, Mycogen Corporation ("Mycogen") and two of
Mycogen's subsidiaries, and on Aug. 27, 1996, against several Hoechst
Schering AgrEvo GmbH entities (these actions are referred to as the
"Rockford Litigation"). The suits relate to DEKALB Genetics' patents
involving herbicide-resistant and/or insect-resistant fertile, transgenic
corn. In particular, the DEKALB Genetics patents cover:
o fertile, transgenic corn plants expressing genes encoding Bt
insecticidal proteins;
o the microprojectile method for producing fertile, transgenic corn
plants covering a bar or pat gene, as well as the production and
breeding of progeny of such plants;
o methods of producing either herbicide-resistant or
insect-resistant transgenic corn; and
32
o transgenic corn plants containing a bar or pat gene (all lawsuits
related to this patent have been stayed pending resolution of an
interference proceeding at the United States Patent and Trademark
Office).
In each case, DEKALB Genetics has asked the court to determine that
infringement has occurred, to enjoin further infringement and/or to award
unspecified compensatory and exemplary damages. By order dated June 30,
1999, a special master construed the patent claims in a manner largely in
accord with the position of DEKALB Genetics. The judge has adopted the
findings of the special master and appointed a settlement mediator to
conduct discussions among the parties. A re-trial of certain patent claims
against Pioneer for sale of MON810 YIELDGARD insect-protected corn hybrids
was resolved by a settlement effective Oct. 1, 2001 (the "Pioneer
Settlement"). A trial against Mycogen involving different corn products,
set for April 2001, was settled by Mycogen's agreement to pay royalties
under various DEKALB Genetics patents. A separate lawsuit was also
initiated against Monsanto and DEKALB Genetics on May 30, 2001, by Pioneer
in the Rockford Litigation alleging that patent suits by Monsanto and
DEKALB Genetics constituted sham litigation filed in violation of the
antitrust laws. DEKALB Genetics and Monsanto are vigorously defending the
baseless litigation and have requested that the suit be dismissed or stayed
pending the outcome of the patent actions filed by DEKALB Genetics against
Pioneer.
On July 2, 1999, DEKALB Genetics sued Pioneer in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in a patent
interference action to declare that DEKALB Genetics was the first inventor
of the microprojectile method of producing fertile transgenic corn. The
court has denied Pioneer's motion to dismiss. On July 30, 1999, DEKALB
Genetics moved to consolidate this suit with the remainder of the Rockford
Litigation for purposes of trial, but the request has been provisionally
denied.
On Nov. 23, 1999, Pioneer sued Monsanto, DEKALB Genetics and Novartis
Seeds, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of
Iowa for alleged infringement of Pioneer's patent pertaining to the
microprojectile transformation of corn. This suit was transferred at
Monsanto's request to the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois for consolidated treatment with the Rockford
Litigation, and Pioneer's claims relating to insect resistant corn were
dismissed pursuant to the Pioneer Settlement. On Nov. 23, 1999, DEKALB
Genetics filed an interference action in the United States District Court
for the Northern District of Illinois seeking a declaration that DEKALB
Genetics was the first inventor of the microprojectile method of producing
fertile transgenic corn, and the related suits have been assigned to that
court for disposition. On July 13, 2001, Pioneer was granted a related
patent arising out of the same research for transformation of corn, and
suit was initiated in the Rockford Litigation against DEKALB Genetics and
Monsanto for alleged infringement of the new patent. The claims against
DEKALB Genetics and Monsanto relating to insect resistant corn were
dismissed pursuant to the Pioneer Settlement. Defendants are vigorously
defending the remaining claims in the litigation.
Grower Lawsuit
--------------
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000, on Dec. 14, 1999, a class action lawsuit claiming
unspecified damages was filed against Monsanto in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia by six farmers purporting to
represent a class composed of purchasers of genetically modified soybean
and corn seed and growers of non-genetically modified soybean and corn
seed. The complaint alleges that we violated various antitrust laws and
unspecified international laws through our patent license agreements,
breached an implied warranty of merchantability and violated unspecified
consumer fraud and deceptive business practices laws in connection with the
sale of genetically modified seed. The plaintiffs seek declaratory and
injunctive relief in addition to antitrust, treble, compensatory and
punitive damages and attorneys' fees. On Feb. 14, 2000, a class action
lawsuit claiming unspecified damages was filed against Monsanto in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois by five
farmers purporting to represent various classes of farmers. The complaint
alleges claims virtually identical to those in the preceding case. Both of
these lawsuits have been transferred to and consolidated in the United
States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. In March 2001,
plaintiffs amended their complaint to add Pioneer, Syngenta Seeds, Inc.,
Syngenta Crop Protection, and Aventis as defendants, and to allege a
conspiracy among all defendants to fix seed prices in the United States in
violation of federal antitrust laws. Monsanto vigorously denies any
33
liability in this case, denies that it has breached any legal obligations
or engaged in any anti-competitive activities. Our licensed seed sales are
authorized under United States patent law.
Environmental Proceedings
-------------------------
As described in Monsanto's annual report on Form 10-K for the year
ended Dec. 31, 2000, in the early 1980s, Monsanto was identified as a
potentially responsible party at three landfills in West Virginia including
the Heizer Creek landfill, the Poca Strip Mine landfill and the Manila
Creek landfill. As a result, Monsanto entered into Consent Orders with the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and implemented
remedial actions at each of those sites to address dioxin contamination,
all of which were completed in the mid-1980s. The EPA is currently
investigating over 20 sites in the Kanawha River valley to determine
potential sources of dioxin discharges into the river. As a part of that
process, the EPA is conducting preliminary assessments at the 20-plus sites
including the three sites mentioned above and has notified Monsanto of its
potential liability at the Heizer Creek landfill. Depending on the outcome
of the EPA's preliminary assessments, Monsanto could receive notices of
potential liability at the other two sites, although we have not received
any such notices.
On Sept. 28, 1999, we entered into a consent order with the EPA
whereby we agreed to immediately investigate contamination at the Heizer
Creek landfill near Nitro, West Virginia, and to propose a remedy based on
our results. We used the Heizer Creek landfill for approximately one year
between 1958 and 1959 to dispose of plant waste from our former Nitro, West
Virginia, manufacturing location. In 1999, the EPA identified elevated
levels of dioxin in one sample taken at the former landfill. In 2000, the
investigation of the dioxin contamination at the site, the risk assessment
and the evaluation of remedial action options have been completed and
submitted to EPA in an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Report.
The EE/CA Report also contains our recommended remedy as required in the
consent order. The cost to implement the recommended remedy was estimated
at $1.5 million, and funds were reserved for this amount. In late 2001, we
received one comment from the EPA on the Report and are responding to it.
Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) Exhibits: See Exhibit Index
(B) Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2001: The Company
furnished a report on Form 8-K on Sept. 7, 2001, pursuant to Regulation FD,
relating to a slide presentation. The report on Form 8-K included
information furnished under Item 9, announcing that Monsanto's Chief
Executive Officer and other senior executives of the Company would speak
with various investors, securities analysts and other members of the
financial and investment community at various times during September,
October and November of 2001.
34
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
MONSANTO COMPANY
-------------------
(Registrant)
/s/ Terrell K. Crews
-------------------------------------
Terrell K. Crews
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
(On behalf of the Registrant and
as Principal Financial Officer)
Date: November 13, 2001
35
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
------ -----------
2 Omitted - Inapplicable
3.2 By-Laws of the Company, as amended on Sept. 26, 2001
4 Omitted - Inapplicable
10 Omitted - Inapplicable
11 Omitted - Inapplicable; see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements
15 Omitted - Inapplicable
18 Omitted - Inapplicable
19 Omitted - Inapplicable
22 Omitted - Inapplicable
23 Omitted - Inapplicable
24 Omitted - Inapplicable
99 Omitted - Inapplicable