Bayer/Monsanto talks more likely to result in crop-science sale than JV – source

22 March 2016 – Talks between Bayer [ETR: BAYN] and Monsanto [NYSE:MON] would most likely result in a sale of the German chemical company’s CropScience division rather than a joint venture, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The talks are still at preliminary stage and there is no formal process yet, the source said. A sale would result in a better value for the German company Bayer, he added.

A spokesperson for Bayer declined to comment.

Monsanto has the financial firepower for an outright acquisition, which is reportedly worth more than USD 30bn. The US group last year offered close to USD 45bn to acquire Syngenta [VTX:SYNN], but withdrew after continued opposition from the Swiss company.