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 Apr. 29, 2026
Source: Bayer news release Leverkusen, Germany - The Bayer Group continues to make headway as it looks to advance its turnaround. While speaking at the company's virtual Annual Stockholders' Meeting on Friday, CEO Bill Anderson said: "We see great progress. But the work isn't complete. Yet." Around two years after setting out an agenda to enhance performance and regain strategic flexibility, he explained that "no corner of the company is the same as it was. Bayer is leaner and faster. The Pharmaceuticals portfolio and pipeline are more promising than perhaps ever before. Crop Science is executing its performance improvement plan. The debt burden is lower. We've advanced a multi-pronged strategy to address the litigation uncertainty. Our businesses delivered the 2025 numbers in virtually every metric." Anderson also highlighted the performance of Bayer's employees, as did Chairman of the Supervisory Board Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann, who expressed his appreciation for their efforts. In addition, Winkeljohann explained that "we have embarked on a clear path to ensure Bayer is best-placed to thrive in the competitive environment - and are committed to making further headway in the year ahead." In the agriculture business (Crop Science), Bayer has launched an extensive performance improvement program, with the division having taken steps to rationalize its portfolio and footprint. In the crop protection business, for instance, it is reshaping its portfolio around higher margin, more innovative products. After launching the insecticide Plenexos in Colombia in late 2025, the company expects to achieve registration in Brazil later this year. The product only needs to be applied in small quantities to effectively protect harvests against pests. Looking ahead, the division is planning to deliver major innovations that will really take off in 2027 and beyond. For 2026, meanwhile, the division's performance improvement work remains a top priority, as it takes steps to improve cash generation and strengthen the operational foundation of its business. Progress on the U.S. litigation front The company continues to execute its multi-pronged strategy to contain US litigation and has made important strides in this area. In February, Monsanto announced a class settlement, which received preliminary approval in early March. In addition, the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the Durnell case on Monday next week. "This is a big milestone for American farmers, and a lot is riding on it," Anderson said. He also noted how, in early April, lawmakers in Kentucky had voted to enact legislation protecting farmers' access to scientifically regulated crop protection products. Commenting on the company's containment efforts overall, Anderson explained that "this remains an active situation, with important milestones and decisions in the weeks ahead. We continue to take it one day at a time and remain prepared for all scenarios." Cash generation and deleveraging remains a top priority for Bayer. As previously communicated, the company is therefore proposing to only pay out the legal minimum in dividends for 2025, amounting to 0.11 euros per share. "This is not an easy step, but it remains the right one for the company's financial future," Anderson said, adding: "As we consider our dividend policy going forward, we will carefully look at the company's capital allocation strategy, given our cash and debt position." On the organizational front, Bayer has reoriented the focus of the firm from "administering" to "doing" while leveraging its new operating model. "Bayer is moving faster, more flexibly, at less cost," Anderson said, with focus now turned to scaling key mechanics and practices of the new system. "We feel this set-up positions us well for the coming artificial intelligence revolution," he explained, while also noting that many companies leading the AI charge are moving in a similar direction: flatter organizations, larger teams, more nimble rhythms, and faster, more fluid sharing of information. In addition, the company continues to make significant investments in its IT infrastructure, in streamlining its systems and simplifying the way it sorts data so that employees and customers alike can benefit from the full intelligence of the enterprise. In fiscal 2025, Bayer achieved its targets for the year, after having upgraded its currency-adjusted Group outlook for sales and earnings in late July. Sales came in at 45.6 billion euros, while core earnings per share amounted to 4.91 euros. In addition, Bayer generated 2.1 billion euros of free cash flow and reduced its net financial debt to 29.8 billion euros. "In terms of our outlook, we anticipate a solid year across our businesses, which are off to a good start," Anderson noted. To read the entire report click here. Tweet |
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