Bayer fourth-quarter core earnings down 3%, below market view By Reuters

FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Bayer (DE:BAYGN) said fourth-quarter core earnings edged 3.4% lower as competition in the North American agriculture market offset stronger sales of stroke prevention pill Xarelto.

Quarterly core profit, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), adjusted for one-offs, came in at 2.39 billion euros, below an average estimate of about 2.5 billion euros.