Bayer Draws Uncertain Line Under Roundup in $12 Billion Deal (1)

Bayer AG’s $12.1 billion settlement to resolve U.S. lawsuits over its flagship weedkiller Roundup and other products offered only fleeting relief to investors looking to move on from the legal woes that have hobbled the stock for almost two years.

The shares declined as much as 2% in Frankfurt trading, erasing early gains a day after the German company’s move to resolve a trio of major litigation risks that soured its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto.

Getting past the legal drama is crucial for Chief Executive Officer Werner Baumann, but the milestone settlement left open the potential ...