In fairness, though, Monsanto is already doing quite well with its existing product line. During the fourth quarter, which is cyclically its weakest, MON narrowed its net loss as revenue climbed 35% to $2.05 billion. Gross profit margin for the period improved from 42.4% to 46.8%. Amid the ongoing credit crunch, it also doesn't hurt that CFO Terry Crews says his company's net debt could fall to zero during the current quarter. (That Aly Participacoes buy? Paid for in cash.)

On the charts, MON is hanging tough to its foothold atop the $70 level. The shares have smoothed out into a period of sideways price action of late, which indicates that selling pressure is beginning to exhaust itself. Additionally, the stock seems to have caught a lift from its 40-month moving average, which is currently rising through the $70 level.

As a point of caution -- from a contrarian standpoint, of course -- Monsanto already receives a lot of accolades on Wall Street. Eight out of 10 analysts recommend buying the shares, according to Zacks, while the consensus 12-month price target is a whopping $137.82. Any downgrades from this bullish group could drag MON lower, although the stock's perch atop round-number support could forestall negative notes during the short term.

Finally, take a look at MON's price/earnings ratio of 21.8 as of November 30. With the equity's average five-year p/e ratio checking in at 67.4, these shares are definitely priced to move.

Elizabeth Harrow is an analyst and financial writer in the research department at Schaeffer's Investment Research. She is featured in the video series Schaeffer's Daily Q&A on SchaeffersResearch.com.