WASHINGTON (AP) — Monsanto Co. is reporting better-than-expected earnings results for the third quarter. Executives of the huge agricultural business are continuing to make a case for a $45 billion takeover of Swiss competitor, Syngenta AG.

The company based in St. Louis reported earnings of $2.39 per share on stronger revenue from crop chemicals, compared with results of $1.62 per share in the prior-year period.

The average estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was $2.05 per share.

But Edward Jones analyst Matt Arnold says the earnings gain was driven by a one-time licensing payment from Scotts Miracle Gro, which sells Monsanto’s signature weed killer Roundup to consumers.

Monsanto shares have decreased roughly 6 percent since the beginning of the year, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has increased 3 percent. The stock has dropped 7 percent in the last 12 months.