Monsanto Increases Net 22%, Raises Guidance

By Eric Volkman – Apr 3, 2013 at 5:37PM

NYSE: MON

Monsanto Company

The comestibles giant sees a higher-than-expected lift in bottom line for its Q2.

Monsanto (MON) results for its Q2 2013 have been released. For the quarter, net sales were $5.5 billion, a 15% increase from the $4.7 billion in the same period the previous year. Net income recorded a more significant rise, climbing by 22% to $1.5 billion ($2.74 per diluted share) from Q2 2012's $1.2 billion ($2.24).

The numbers from the most recent quarter handily beat analyst estimates, which on average were for revenue of $5.3 billion and EPS of $2.58.

For the second quarter in a row, Monsanto lifted its full-year guidance. The company now believes it will post EPS of $4.40-$4.50 for fiscal 2013. It projects free cash flow to come in at $1.8 billion-$2.0 billion.

Fool contributor Eric Volkman has no position in Monsanto, and neither does The Motley Fool. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.