Bayer AG Chief Executive Bill Anderson has temporarily dismissed the possibility of breaking up the company, stating that there is still work to be done before considering such options. The German conglomerate is currently focusing on managing litigation uncertainties, reducing debt, cutting internal bureaucracy, strengthening its pharmaceutical pipeline, and improving profitability in its agricultural division.

Anderson stated that the company will not allow discussions about a potential sale or spin-off of its divisions to become a distraction. "Our assessment today is that now is not the time to shift focus," Anderson said during a media call on Tuesday. "We need to stay focused on moving these initiatives forward, while we remain open-minded and vigilant." Some investors have long pushed the company to reconsider its structure. Analysts have noted that a recent favorable ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the long-running litigation over Bayer's Roundup herbicide could make a potential split a viable option again.

Bayer's current operations include an agricultural division that sells pesticides and crop seeds, a pharmaceutical business developing drugs for conditions like prostate cancer and chronic kidney disease, and a smaller consumer health unit that manufactures over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements, and other products. In early July, the company announced it would consolidate its U.S. glyphosate operations, including the Roundup brand, into a new entity called Ruveon. Anderson emphasized that the company regularly evaluates the best way to run its businesses, adding that continuing to execute on current priorities will put the company in a stronger position, regardless of whether its operations are ultimately kept together.

In the second quarter, reduced litigation costs allowed Bayer to return to net profit. The company reported net profit of 219 million euros ($252.1 million), compared to a loss of 199 million euros in the same period last year, when results were impacted by litigation expenses. Bayer stated that special charges, primarily related to litigation, totaled 172 million euros, down sharply from 981 million euros a year earlier. Excluding special items, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 1.9% to 2.14 billion euros, surpassing analyst expectations of 1.94 billion euros, as compiled by Vara. Sales reached 10.87 billion euros, up 2.2% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis. The company reaffirmed its 2026 sales and earnings forecasts on a currency-adjusted basis. Bayer also noted that its year-end net debt would be lower than previously expected, thanks to proceeds from the sale of a minority stake in its contraception business to Apollo for 3 billion euros. The company now expects year-end net debt to be between 29 billion and 30 billion euros, down from a prior forecast of 32 billion to 33 billion euros. Shares of Bayer rose 3% in European afternoon trading.