GRINNELL, Iowa (AP) -- Monsanto Co., the world's biggest seed maker, on Thursday reaffirmed its full-year profit outlook at the low end of its previously announced guidance.

The St. Louis-based company said it expects its 2009 earnings to fall in range of $4.40 per share to $4.50 per share.

The company also said it is on track to expand its seeds and traits side of the business at a 20 percent compound annual growth rate through 2012, and reaffirmed the company's commitment to double 2007 gross profit by 2012.

By 2012, Monsanto expects seeds and traits to reach $7.3 billion to $7.5 billion of gross profit, about 2.5 times its 2007 level, and the Roundup division is expected to provide about 10 percent of total gross profit at about $1 billion.

Shares of Monsanto rose $1.04 to $83.50 in premarket trading.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.