Bayer’s $7 Billion Bid to End Roundup Curse Draws Skepticism (1)

Bayer AG Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson’s effort to extricate the company from the years-long legal battles tied to its Roundup pesticide is facing some skepticism from investors and legal experts.

The German conglomerate initially sparked optimism Tuesday with a proposed $7.25 billion class-action settlement to resolve most current and future claims that Roundup causes cancer — an allegation Bayer rejects but one that has haunted it since its $63 billion purchase of Monsanto in 2018.

But a cold-eyed look at the challenges the plan faces is prompting investors to pull back. After rallying 7.4% on Tuesday, shares reversed ...