Bayer Closes Monsanto Deal to Cap $63 Billion Transformation

Bayer AG closed its $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto Co., emerging from an arduous two-year antitrust review as the biggest seed and agricultural chemicals maker in the world. Integration should begin in about two months, once the sale of some of Bayer’s agriculture assets to BASF SE is complete. The transaction, which will double the size of Bayer’s agriculture business, means “we will be even better placed to help the world’s farmers grow more healthy and affordable food in a sustainable manner,” Bayer Chairman Werner Baumann said in a statement on Thursday.