Bunge Ltd. reported unaudited earnings results for third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $197 million and net income available to Bunge common shareholders of $232 million or $1.62 per share on net sales of $11,298 million compared to net income of $324 million and net income available to Bunge common shareholders of $215 million or $1.70 per share on net sales of $14,797 million for the same period a year ago. Income from operations before income tax was $100 million compared to income from operations before income taxes of $315 million for the same period a year ago. For nine months period, the company reported net income of $343 million and net income available to Bunge common shareholders of $311 million or $2.48 per share on net sales of $31,490 million compared to net income of $1,506 million and net income available to Bunge common shareholders of $1,216 million or $9.26 per share on net sales of $41,631 million for the same period a year ago. Income from operations before income tax was $280 million compared to income from operations before income taxes of $1,938 million for the same period a year ago. Cash provided by operating activities in the third quarter of 2009 was $1,207 million compared to cash provided by operating activities of $2,210 million in the same period last year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cash used by operating activities was $547 million compared to cash provided by operating activities in the same period last year of $1,727 million. The negative cash flow in 2009 primarily reflects lower accounts payable in fertilizer. In consideration of this fertilizer outlook, the company have revised its 2009 full-year earnings guidance from $4.90 to $5.40 per share which was based on an estimated weighted average of approximately 138 million shares outstanding to $3.10 to $3.50 per share based on an estimated weighted average of approximately 128 million shares outstanding. This revised guidance is based on its expectation that its convertible preference shares will not be dilutive under the 'if-converted' EPS calculation method and assumes an income tax benefit for the year in the range of 14% to 18%. For comparative purposes, if the convertible preferred shares were expected to be dilutive, EPS would be calculated based on net income attributable to Bunge in the range of $475 to $525 million (which is before deducting $78 million of preferred dividends) and an estimated weighted average of approximately 143 million shares.

Bunge Ltd. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per common share. The dividend is payable on December 2, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 18, 2009. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.21875 per share on its 4.875% cumulative convertible perpetual preference shares, payable on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2009. The company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $12.8125 per share on its 5.125% cumulative mandatory convertible preference shares, payable on December 1, 2009 to shareholders of record on November 15, 2009.

Valor Economico reported that, Cosan S.A. Industria e Comercio, Bunge Ltd. and Sao Martinho SA are still in talks regarding a possible bid for the assets of Equipav S/A Açúcar E ¦lcool. The report added that Equipav SA should receive bids by October 14, 2009. Banco Santander SA is reportedly advising Equipav. Sao Martinho would bid with GP Investments and Shree Renuka Sugars Limited and ETH Bioenergia S.A. are also amongst the companies that have progressed to the second round of talks, the newspaper said.