Baumann also updated Bayer's planned acquisition of St. Louis-based Monsanto Co.Bayer submitted the proposed merger with the largest producer of agricultural seeds and pesticides to US trade regulators at the end of 2016 and to European regulators during the current quarter. (Also see "Bayer Consumer Health Journey Still Short Of Destination" - Pink Sheet, 26 October, 2016.)

After its stakeholders approved the transaction in December, Bayer implemented both the acquisition financing of $57bn and first equity measure in the amount of €4bn, the firm says. It also has made progress in antitrust proceedings and applied for clearance from most of the around 30 authorities with jurisdiction.

In a Feb. 22 analyst note, Morningstar analyst Damien Canover estimates there’s a 75% chance the deal will close versus fall through, “since there’s no broad overlap between the companies’ portfolio.”

Bayer and Monsanto executives met with President Trump in early January to discuss job creation and Trump spokesman Sean Spicer reported the firms promised through the deal to add 3,000 jobs at Monsanto and keep its headquarters in St. Louis.

In a Jan. 12 research note, Morningstar analyst Jeffrey Stafford offered tempered confidence the deal would close. “Trump has not been shy about sharing his opinion on mergers, publicly opposing the AT&T Time-Warner deal, but he has yet to weigh in on the large agriculture deals currently in the regulatory approval process,” Stafford said.

However, Attorney General Jeff Sessions "is generally seen as pro-business and could be a boost to M&A activity. Additionally, Trump has said that he supports the use of biotechnology in food products and opposes mandatory labeling of genetically modified food; both stances put him in the same camp as Monsanto’s management,” Stafford said.

Bayer Plans 19 Consumer Product Launches To Revive Sluggish Sales

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