Bayer Reshapes Leadership, Portfolio, and Balance Sheet Ahead of Q3 Report
Published on 09/28/2026 at 12:41 | Editorial boerse-global.de
Bayer is pressing ahead with a broad operational overhaul on several fronts at once, redrawing the leadership of key national subsidiaries, channeling fresh capital into agricultural technology, and shedding older pharmaceutical assets—all while shoring up its financing and managing lingering US litigation.
The stock last changed hands at EUR 50.46, roughly 6.3% below its 52-week high of EUR 53.86, though it remains comfortably above its 50-day moving average of EUR 48.57. Since the start of the year, the shares have added 36%, a recovery that has drawn renewed attention from institutional investors.
New Leadership in North America
One of the more notable personnel moves came at Bayer Inc., the group's Canadian subsidiary, where Viktoria Friedrich took over as President and CEO with immediate effect. The appointment is intended to keep operational continuity intact in a core market as the company's broader strategy is rolled out on the ground.
Leaps by Bayer Backs Crop-Protection Biotech
On the investment side, Bayer's venture arm Leaps by Bayer led a Series A financing round in the biotech firm Robigo, joined by Illumina Ventures, SVG Thrive, Congruent Ventures, and Endeavor8. Robigo is developing biological crop-protection solutions against plant diseases. The company has targeted 2028 for the market launch of its first product for soybeans, with a second formulation to follow in 2029.
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Amundi Lifts Stake Above 3%
Institutional interest is also shifting. Asset manager Amundi S.A. raised its voting stake in Bayer to 3.04%, up from 2.96% previously. The threshold was crossed on 14 September 2026—a signal of growing commitment from major institutional holders at a time when the group is reworking its capital structure.
Stivarga Sale and a EUR 2 Billion Hybrid Issue
Bayer is simultaneously trimming its legacy pharma portfolio. Grünenthal has agreed to acquire the worldwide rights to the cancer drug Stivarga, which is approved in more than 90 markets, for a total consideration of up to EUR 375 million. The deal remains subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in late 2026 or early 2027.
Those divestment efforts are being paired with fresh refinancing. Bayer placed two tranches of hybrid bonds totaling EUR 2 billion, lifting the total outstanding volume of such instruments to EUR 6.55 billion. The two tranches, each with a 30-year maturity, carry coupons of 5.75% and 6.25% and non-call periods of six and nine years respectively. Net proceeds are earmarked for general corporate purposes, giving the group additional financial flexibility.
Missouri Court Weighs $7.25 Billion Roundup Settlement
On the legal front, Bayer's Monsanto subsidiary appeared before a Missouri court roughly two weeks ago, urging a US judge to grant final approval to a proposed $7.25 billion Roundup settlement. The hearing marks another step in the company's long-running effort to resolve glyphosate-related claims in the United States.
Q3 Results Due November 3
Investors will get their next hard look at the operating picture in a matter of weeks. Bayer plans to publish its third-quarter 2026 results on 3 November 2026, with management set to walk through the figures during an investor video call and a media update. How the recent string of portfolio, financing, and legal moves feeds through into the divisional numbers will be the central question on the day.
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