Bayer (OTCPK:BAYR.Y) Update / briefing February 17, 2026 12:30 PM ET Company ParticipantsAnja Ettel - News reporterBill Anderson - CEOBill Dodero - Head of Litigation and North America LegalCharles Pitman-King - VPDietrich Knauth - Media RepresentativeJost Reinhard - Head of Investor RelationsSonja Wind - News ReporterWolfgang Nickl - CFOConference Call ParticipantsAlec Ebeling - Equity Research AnalystBert Günther - Equity Research AnalystLaurent Favre - Equity Research AnalystRajesh Kumar - Equity Researc ...

Bayer Update Summary Company Overview - **Company**: Bayer (OTCPK:BAYR.Y) - **Date of Briefing**: February 17, 2026 Key Points Legal Settlements and Litigation - Bayer has reached a settlement agreement regarding glyphosate-related litigation, which is currently pending court approval in Missouri. This agreement is crucial as it addresses a significant number of current and future claims related to Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) allegedly caused by Roundup exposure [1][10][12] - The settlement is designed to provide closure for the Roundup litigation and is supported by several leading plaintiff law firms, indicating a fair arrangement for plaintiffs [13][14] - The company has increased its litigation provision from EUR 7.8 billion to EUR 11.8 billion, with approximately EUR 9.6 billion allocated for glyphosate-related claims and EUR 1.9 billion for PCB-related claims [5][27] - Bayer anticipates litigation-related cash outflows of approximately EUR 5 billion in 2026, leading to negative free cash flow for that year [6][28] Supreme Court Involvement - The Supreme Court's decision on the Durnell case is critical as it could impact claims not covered by the settlement and provide clarity on federal preemption regarding crop protection products [2][11] - A favorable ruling could disincentivize opt-outs from the settlement and provide essential regulatory clarity for U.S. farmers [2][11] Financial Implications - Bayer plans to finance the settlement through a secured bank loan facility of $8 billion and will not utilize previously authorized capital increases [7][28] - The company expects annual litigation-related payments to stabilize at approximately EUR 1 billion for five years following 2026, after which payments will significantly decrease [6][28] Future Outlook - Bayer is committed to its mission of "health for all, hunger for none" and aims to focus on its pharmaceutical pipeline and agricultural innovations [18] - The company is preparing to launch new products, including a new herbicide, Icafolin, in Brazil, highlighting the urgency for regulatory clarity in the U.S. [3][8] Additional Considerations - The settlement process includes a robust notice system for class members, allowing them to opt-out if desired. Bayer retains the right to terminate the settlement if opt-outs exceed a certain threshold [15][16] - The settlement is structured to address both current and future claims, reflecting the long latency of NHL, and will run for up to 21 years [14][16] Strategic Focus - Bayer is undergoing a transformation to enhance its operational efficiency and is focused on maintaining a solid investment grade while managing its debt levels [49][75] - The company emphasizes the importance of being the best home for its various business segments, including pharmaceuticals and crop science [48][49] Conclusion - Bayer's recent developments in litigation settlements and strategic focus on innovation and regulatory clarity are pivotal for its future growth and operational stability. The outcomes of the Supreme Court case and the acceptance of the settlement will significantly influence the company's trajectory in the coming years [1][2][18]

Core Insights - Bayer's Consumer Health division has chosen Interpublic Group as its global agency partner for creative, production, and media [1] - This partnership aims to enhance marketing activities for well-known self-care brands such as Aspirin, Bepanthen, Claritin, and Canesten [1] - The selection signifies a strategic shift towards an integrated agency model to foster consumer trust and loyalty in Bayer's iconic brands [1]

Core Insights - Bayer AG reported second-quarter 2025 core earnings of 35 cents per American Depositary Receipt (ADR), exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 25 cents per ADR and up from 25 cents per ADR in the same quarter last year [1] - Core earnings of €1.23 per share increased by 30.9% year over year, attributed to lower interest expenses and reduced tax outlay [1] Financial Performance - Total sales for the quarter were $12.18 billion (€10.7 billion), a decrease of 3.6% on a reported basis, with volume growth of 0.7% and a positive pricing impact of 0.2% offset by a 4.9% negative currency impact [2] - Sales surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12 billion, and on a currency and portfolio-adjusted basis, sales rose by 0.9% year over year [2] - Year-to-date, Bayer's shares have increased by 63.1%, contrasting with a 3.7% decline in the industry [2] Segment Performance - Bayer operates under three segments: Crop Science, Pharmaceuticals, and Consumer Health [4] - Crop Science sales grew by 2.2% to €4.8 billion, driven by a 29.5% increase in Corn Seed & Traits sales due to higher planted areas and price increases [5] - Pharmaceuticals segment sales rose by 0.6% to €4.47 billion, with notable growth from Nubeqa (up 50.5% to €546 million) and Kerendia (up 67.1%) [10] - Consumer Health sales increased slightly by 0.2% to €1.4 billion, with mixed performance across subcategories [13] Guidance and Future Outlook - Bayer raised its 2025 revenue forecast to €46-48 billion, up from the previous range of €45-47 billion, due to stronger-than-expected pharmaceutical performance in the first half of the year [15] - The company expects EBITDA before special items to be between €9.7-10.2 billion in 2025, an increase from the prior projection of €9.5-10 billion [15] Pipeline Developments - Recent approvals include Eylea in China for neovascular age-related macular degeneration and Nubeqa in Europe for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer [16] - The FDA has extended the review period for elinzanetant, indicating the need for additional time for a full review [19] - Bayer is also seeking approval for the investigational contrast agent gadoquatrane in multiple regions [20] Overall Assessment - Bayer's second-quarter results exceeded expectations, with key drug approvals likely to enhance pharmaceutical sales and mitigate declines in Xarelto sales [21] - The Crop Science segment showed improvement after previous pressures, indicating a potential recovery [21]