Monsanto in Talks With Bayer, Others About “Strategic Options”

Monsanto Co is in talks with Bayer AG and other companies regarding “alternative strategic options,” a month after it rejected the German company’s $62-billion takeover offer, the U.S. seed producer said on Wednesday. Monsanto’s options include combinations with other companies and businesses in the sector beyond Bayer. Potential deals could involve BASF and any businesses divested from the Dow/DuPont merger, according to analysts. Monsanto, which also reported lower-than-expected sales for the sixth straight quarter on Wednesday, had approached Bayer about a potential acquisition of its crop science unit, Reuters reported in March.