Monsanto profit jumps, raises 2008 forecast

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Net income rose to $256 million, or 46 cents per share, in the first quarter ended November 30 from $90 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Agricultural company Monsanto Co <MON.N> said on Thursday its quarterly profit nearly tripled, helped by strength in its corn seed and herbicide businesses, and raised its 2008 forecast.

Net income rose to $256 million, or 46 cents per share, in the first quarter ended November 30 from $90 million, or 16 cents per share, a year earlier.

That profit beat both the company's and analysts' forecasts for earnings of 35 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

The St. Louis, Missouri-based company reported net sales of $2.1 billion, up 36 percent from a year earlier.

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Sales of corn seed and traits during the quarter jumped to $467 million from $360 million a year ago, while sales of its Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicides climbed to $1.0 billion from $649 million.

The company raised its forecast for 2008 earnings to between $2.50 and $2.60 per share from its November forecast of $2.20 to $2.40 per share.

Free cash flow for 2008 is now expected to be between $900 million and $1 billion, up from the earlier forecast of $800 million to $900 million.

Monsanto said those forecasts did not include a likely gain from sister company Solutia's emergence from bankruptcy protection, which could add 22 cents to 24 cents per share in the second quarter. Monsanto holds some environmental liabilities for Solutia.

Shares in Monsanto traded up 3.5 percent in pre-market action on the New York Stock Exchange. Those shares more than doubled during 2007, rising from $52.53 to $111.69 per share, outpacing the 28 percent gain in the Dow Jones Chemicals Index <.DJUSCH>.

(Reporting by Matt Daily; Editing by Mark Porter/Derek Caney)