[Reuters] – Bayer (BAYGn.DE) could receive financing from the European Central Bank that would help to fund a takeover of Monsanto (MON.N), according to the terms of the ECB’s bond-buying program. U.S.-based Monsanto, the world’s largest seed company, turned down Bayer’s $62 billion bid on Tuesday, but said it was open to further negotiations. The ECB can buy bonds issued by companies that are based in the euro area, have an investment-grade rating and are not banks, provided that they are denominated in euros and meet certain technical requirements. Read more on this. Monsanto Company (MON) , valued at $48.73B, began trading this morning at $111.42. Looking at today’s market, MON one day range is $110.32 to $113.00 and has traded between $81.22 and $120.00 over the past 12 months. Priced at 23.61x this year’s forecasted earnings, MON shares are relatively inexpensive compared to the industry’s 86.10x forward p/e ratio. The company pays shareholders $2.16 per share annually in dividends, yielding 2.04%. In a review of the consensus earnings estimate this quarter, 18 sell-side analysts are looking at $2.42 per share, which would be $0.03 better than the year-ago quarter and a $0.04 sequential decrease. Investors should also note that the full-year EPS estimate of $4.63 is a $1.10 worse when compared to the previous year’s annual results. The quarterly earnings estimate is predicated on a consensus revenue forecast of $4.51 Billion. If reported, that would be a 1.53% decrease over the year-ago quarter. Recently, Jefferies upgraded MON from Hold to Buy (May 25, 2016). Previously, Citigroup downgraded MON from Buy to Neutral. The average price target for MON shares is $98.44, which is 11.65% below where the stock opened this morning. See more in (NYSE:MON) Similar Articles: Stock Update: Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) – Bayer defies critics with $62 billion Monsanto offer Market Update (NYSE:MON): Bayer’s Monsanto approach sparks shareholder uproar Market Update: Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) – Farmers to Gain Access to Monsanto’s Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ Soybeans in 2016