Monsanto Co. (NYSE:MON)

The analysis of the financial data over the reported periods reveals several notable trends in asset composition and structure.

Cash and cash equivalents

This category fluctuated substantially, peaking at 17.75% in 2013 and declining sharply to below 9% in the subsequent years, indicating a reduction in liquidity reserve relative to total assets.

Short-term investments

Maintained a consistently low proportion, declining from 1.49% in 2012 to a minimal 0.04% in 2017, suggesting a strategic deprioritization of short-term investment holdings.

Trade receivables, net

Displayed variability but generally stable, moving from 9.38% in 2012 to an increased 10.13% by 2017, indicating a slight growth in credit extended to customers relative to total assets.

Miscellaneous receivables

Incrementally increased from 3.07% in 2012 to 3.88% in 2017, reflecting a steady rise in other receivables as a proportion of total assets.

Deferred tax assets

Recorded data until 2015 shows a gradual increase from 2.64% to 3.39% but lacks values for later years, precluding trend analysis beyond 2015.

Inventory, net

Remained relatively stable around the mid-teens percentage of total assets, peaking at 16.42% in 2016 before slightly declining to 15.66% in 2017.

Assets held for sale

Absent in earlier periods, this category appeared in 2016 at 1.38% and decreased to 0.93% in 2017, indicating some assets were classified for disposal during the later years.

Other current assets

Showed a gradual increase from 0.9% in 2012 to 1.22% in 2017, reflecting a modest growth in miscellaneous current assets.

Current assets

Experienced a downward trend after reaching 48.77% in 2013, declining to 40.55% by 2017, demonstrating a shift in asset structure towards noncurrent assets over time.

Property, plant and equipment, net

Consistently increased from 21.58% in 2012 to 27.8% in 2017, indicating ongoing investment or appreciation in fixed assets relative to total assets.

Goodwill

Rose from 16.98% in 2012 to a high of 20.37% in 2016 before decreasing to 19.16% in 2017, signaling acquisitions or revaluations impacting intangible asset recognition.

Other intangible assets, net

Displayed a decreasing trend from 6.12% in 2012 to 4.8% in 2017, suggesting amortization or divestiture of other intangible assets.

Noncurrent deferred tax assets

Varied with a decrease initially from 2.72% in 2012 to 1.26% in 2015, then increased to 3.11% in 2016 before settling at 2.64% in 2017, indicating fluctuations in deferred tax asset recognition.

Long-term receivables, net

Declined sharply from 1.86% in 2012 to 0.19% in 2015, then showed slight recovery to 0.57% in 2017, reflecting a reduction and eventual modest increase in long-term receivables.

Other assets

Fluctuated moderately with a low of 2.4% in 2013 and a peak of 4.48% in 2017, denoting variable holdings in miscellaneous noncurrent assets.

Noncurrent assets

Increased from 52.24% in 2012 to 59.45% in 2017, consistent with the trend of increasing investment in long-term assets at the expense of current assets.

Total assets

Remained constant at 100% by definition for all periods assessed.

Overall, the data depict a strategic shift in asset allocation, with a relative decrease in current assets and an increase in noncurrent assets, particularly property, plant and equipment. Liquid assets such as cash and short-term investments diminished as a percentage of total assets. Goodwill maintained a significant and growing share, highlighting potential acquisition activity during the period. The inventory and receivables categories remained relatively stable, indicating consistent operational asset management. These observations suggest a company potentially focusing on long-term capital investments and acquisition strategies while maintaining stable operations in its current asset management.