Earnings roundup: Monsanto, General Mills

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ST. LOUIS (AP)--Monsanto Co.'s profit soared 42 percent in its fiscal third quarter on a strong performance by Roundup herbicide and by its seeds and traits business. The company also boosted its earnings guidance for the year.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)--Foodmaker General Mills Inc. said costs for hedging commodities drove its fourth-quarter profit down 17 percent, but strong sales of yogurt, cookie mixes and Cheerios boosted revenue above Wall Street expectations.

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CLEVELAND (AP)--American Greetings Corp., the nation's second-largest greeting card company, said Wednesday that first-quarter profit for fiscal 2009 dropped 56 percent as the company's margins were squeezed in part by the rollout of a new card line in Canada.