IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Bayer lowers guidance

Bayer AG, Germany's largest drugmaker, lowered its forecast for 2009 as the deepening global recession erodes demand for plastics. The shares fell as much as 3.2 percent.

Fourth-quarter profit of 106 million euros missed analyst estimates for 190 million euros after an operating loss at the chemicals unit eclipsed gains in health care. The Leverkusen-based company said earnings may fall this year after forecasting growth in October. It also sees a decline in 2009 sales. Bayer, which supplies plastics and foams to the automotive industry, predicts "a severe drop" in sales and earnings before items at the MaterialScience chemical unit this year.