Monsanto Shares Climb on Report of Constructive Bayer AG Takeover Talks

Shares of agrochemical giant Monsanto (MON) were also up in morning trading Tuesday on news that German peer Bayer AG is in advanced talks of acquiring Monsanto. Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg News said Bayer CEO Werner Baumann has been in "a series of constructive meetings in recent weeks" with Monsanto's management, noting the companies aim to build "the world's largest producer of seeds and pesticides" and that a deal could be ironed out within the next two weeks. Monsanto had rejected Bayer's increased takeover offer of $45 billion in July, but it now appears the seed giant is being courted with even better terms. Monsanto shares are now up roughly 10% so far in 2016.

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