17 April 2003

Monsanto investors warned of risk of heavy financial losses

"If Monsanto does not take steps to mitigate its substantial market risks, further investor losses are likely. The risk of heavy financial losses due to genetic pollution or technology failure coupled with sustained market rejection of GE foods makes Monsanto a poor investment." - Innovest Strategic Value Advisors

The report gives Monsanto the lowest possible environmental and strategic management rating.

Monsanto has struggled financially, losing $1.7 billion in 2002, and capping the year with the resignation of Chief Executive Hendrik Verfaillie who has still not been replaced.

Monsanto stock has lost about half its value in the last year and was down again yesterday .04 cents at $15.96 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
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Greenpeace warns Monsanto investors of risks
St. Louis Business Journal
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2003/04/14/daily51.html

Environmental awareness group Greenpeace released a report Wednesday warning investors of Monsanto's corporate strategy of expanding its genetically engineered crop business and the risks it poses to shareholders.

The report, completed by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, gave Monsanto the lowest possible environmental and strategic management rating. It warns investors of Monsanto's "above average risk exposure and less sophisticated management than peers," Greenpeace said in a statement. Innovest analysts predict that it (Monsanto) will likely underperform in the market over the mid- to long-term, according to the statement.

"While last year's profit losses led to a change in leadership at the company, they did not lead to a change in strategy," said Frank Dixon, managing director at Innovest, in a statement. "If Monsanto does not take steps to mitigate its substantial market risks, further investor losses are likely. The risk of heavy financial losses due to genetic pollution or technology failure coupled with sustained market rejection of GE foods makes Monsanto a poor investment."

The complete report is available at www.greenpeace.org.

Lori Fisher, a Monsanto spokeswoman, said, "Our take on the Innovest report is that it is highly biased and cherry-picked information about Monsanto and biotech in order to further a political agenda."

Amsterdam-based Greenpeace International is an environmental awareness organization.