(new: updated share price, additional analyst commentary)
FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Bayer shares soared on Monday following positive news from the United States regarding the ongoing glyphosate litigation. What investors had been hoping for since at least early December 2025 has now happened: On Friday evening, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the glyphosate case known as "Durnell." This development increases the likelihood of a landmark ruling in the years-long legal battle over the weedkiller.
Such a ruling would send a strong signal for approximately 67,000 other cases, which were included in a 6.5 billion euro provision in the latest quarterly report, wrote Chris Counihan, an analyst at investment bank Jefferies. Bayer is seeking clarification on whether federal law regarding warning labels for weedkiller sales takes precedence over state law.
Investors responded with strong optimism on Monday: Bayer shares jumped as much as eight percent in early trading, stopping just short of the 45-euro mark.
Back in early December, shares had even surged by up to 15 percent when the so-called Solicitor General – essentially the chief legal representative of the U.S. government – supported the company's petition to have the "Durnell" case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. At that time, the stock climbed above 35 euros for the first time since early 2024. Since then, the recovery rally has extended by another 29 percent, with the share price base stabilizing after years of decline.
The glyphosate issue has weighed on Bayer since its takeover of U.S. agrochemical company Monsanto in 2018. Lawsuits over alleged cancer risks have already cost the company billions of euros and severely impacted its share price.
Analysts covering Bayer responded accordingly positively. For example, Sachin Jain of U.S. investment bank Bank of America immediately raised his price target by 20 euros to 55 euros. The probability of a favorable decision for the Leverkusen-based company is seen at 70 percent by experts, Jain commented. He called it a significant step forward in resolving the glyphosate issue, though further steps will be necessary.
UBS analyst Matthew Weston, however, was more cautious. He noted that the Supreme Court's acceptance of the case was highly likely, as evidenced by the recent recovery rally. Even with a favorable Supreme Court ruling for Bayer, the glyphosate saga would not yet be over. Weston suggested that settlements could gain momentum before a ruling is handed down in June./ag/bek/jha/
