ADM Reports Improved Quarter

NEW YORK - Jan 31/06 - SNS -- Archer Daniels Midland reported pretax earnings of U.S. $506.704 million on sales of $9,298.985 million during the second quarter ending December 31, compared to a net of $454.362 on sales of $9,063.526 million during the same three month period of the previous fiscal year.

This lifted pretax income for the first half of the current fiscal year to $780.436 million on sales of $17,925.934 million, compared to a net of $840.299 million on sales of $18,035.937 million during the same six month period of the previous fiscal year.

In releasing quarterly income information, ADM said net earnings for the quarter ended December 31, 2004 included a gain of $45 million representing the Company's equity share of the gain reported by an unconsolidated affiliate upon the sale of its Tate & Lyle interest.

Oilseeds Processing operating profit increased $ 9 million to $ 128 million for the quarter and increased $ 17 million to $ 227 million for the six months due principally to improved processing results in North America, South America and Europe. Operating results of Asia declined in the quarter and were slightly ahead of last year's levels for the six months.

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