Bayer boosts cash reserves to tackle weedkiller crisis.
German Company Boosts 2025 Outlook Amid Rising Legal Costs
Extra Provision for U.S. Roundup Litigation
Bayer has earmarked an additional 1.2 billion euros to address long‑running U.S. lawsuits linked to its glyphosate‑based weedkiller Roundup, on top of a previous 5.7 billion euros litigation reserve.
In a late‑Thursday statement, the German group announced a “major settlement” with a law firm that cut the total number of unresolved glyphosate claims to 61,000. A combined 131,000 claims have already either been settled or deemed ineligible.
Rising Claims Over Cancer Risk
U.S. lawsuits contend that Roundup can trigger blood cancer. Bayer counters that scientific research and regulatory approvals confirm the safety of its product.
The Leverkusen‑based company has already spent over $10 billion to settle related cases.
2025 Forecasts Upgraded by Pharmaceuticals Performance
- Pharmaceutical division exceeded expectations, prompting a 2025 revenue lift to 46–48 billion euros from a previous 45–47 billion range.
- Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is projected at 9.7–10.2 billion euros, up from a prior 9.5–10 billion forecast.
Share Market Reaction
Bayer shares gained two percent in Frankfurt’s DAX index on Friday, while the broader index slipped 1.8 percent.
