Investors Shrug At Monsanto's Q4 Earnings, 2017 Outlook

Monsanto Company MON reported a narrow loss for the fourth quarter than the previous year period driven by 8.8 percent top line growth. The company provided forecast for the fiscal year 2017.

The company suffered a net loss of $191 million, or a loss per share of $0.44, narrower than the previous year quarter's net loss of $495 million, or a loss per share of $1.06. On an ongoing basis, the company indicated that this translates into an EPS of $0.07.

Monsanto's net sales advanced 8.8 percent from $2.355 billion to $2.562 billion fuelled by seed and genomics division that accounted for $1.6 billion sales.

Chairman and CEO Hugh Grant said, "Despite challenges to our business in fiscal year 2016, we delivered on the drivers that position Monsanto for the return to EPS growth in the year ahead. To see it through, our fiscal year 2017 priorities are focused on delivering on the operational plan and key business milestones for the year, while also executing on the necessary steps to close the deal with Bayer."

Moving ahead, Monsanto is confident of achieving EPS of $3.83-$4.35 on a reported basis for the fiscal year 2017. On an ongoing basis, this translates into an EPS guidance of $4.50-$4.90.

The stock gained $0.25, or 0.24 percent, to $102.40 in pre-market trading on Wednesday.