ADM: Focus On Expenditures & Strengthening Overseas Operations

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM), an agribusiness giant, reported earnings for its fourth quarter that missed analysts’ expectations, as weak margins, due to high corn prices meant that the ethanol division swung to a loss against last year’s profit. Grain trading activity was also affected adversely due to tight grain supplies, and this factor alone led to a 64 percent fall in its profit from the agricultural services business. However, the company’s global oilseeds business, particularly in South America, put in a solid performance.

The agricultural company faced severe difficulties in its business,...