Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Biotech / Medical : Monsanto Co. -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Anthony Wong who wrote (1791)	3/23/1999 11:49:00 AM
From: Anthony Wong	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2539

03/23 11:22 RESEARCH ALERT - Monsanto <MTC.N> cut to hold ST. LOUIS, March 23 (Reuters) - Edward Jones said Tuesday it lowered its rating on life sciences firm Monsanto Co. to hold from buy, citing steep valuation. -- "We believe that the current valuation factors the potential of (Celebrex arthritis drug) but not the risk in Monsanto," analyst William Fiala said in a research note. -- "The company has levereged up its balance sheet to about twice the industry average, will see lower returns in its Roundup herbicide business (after the patent expiration in 2000) and has several international challenges such as economic turmoil in Latin America and European resistance to its genetically engineered agricultural products," Fiala said. -- "While Monsanto's growth outlook remains promising with the launch of the arthritis drug Celebrex and a solid pipeline of new agricultural biotechnology products, we believe the current valuation premium doesn't compensate for the additional risk in the stock," he said. --- Shares of Monsanto were up 5/16 at 47-3/4.