"Agriculture-related stocks have been hammered; as a result, we are now buyers of Monsanto (NYSE: MON)," says Glenn Rogers in Gordon Pape's The Internet Wealth Builder.

"Monsanto just recently released solid earnings and raised guidance for the year. They are now looking for earnings of $3.58 to $3.60 a share, up from $3.37 previously.

"The company said the change reflected higher-than-expected sales and gross profit in its seeds and traits business and its Roundup and other glyphosate-based herbicide business.

"The stock is down almost 20% from its all-time high of $145.80 reached in mid-June, but has lately been showing signs of renewed strength. Farmers may defer the purchase of a tractor but seed is likely to be the last place they will scrimp.

"There aren't many stocks that I am actively buying in the current market conditions but Monsanto is an exception. We rate the stock a buy."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Monsanto (MON): Planting the seeds of growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The soaring cost of food isn't just hitting families in the US; it's hitting everyone around the world," says Neil George. Here, in Personal Finance, he looks at some agriculture, chemical and seed plays.

"During the past five years, consumer food costs have soared by more than 117%. And that momentum is increasing; in the trailing 12 months alone, prices surged more than 52%.

"The mega-investors aren't waiting around; they're buying into other parts of the ag business-from grain elevators to ag processors and distributors-as a workaround for such potential regulation.

"You shouldn't be sitting on your hands, either. This food trend is going to be here for a while, so you better stake your claim while buyers still outnumber sellers.

"One way to invest in this trend is to step into companies that are serving the ag producers. This means the companies developing and selling engineered seeds, as well as chemicals and fertilizer products needed to not just grow crops but more bountiful and, therefore, more profitable crops.

Continue reading Growth in seeds: Chemical ag plays

Growth in seeds: Chemical ag plays originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.