Agrochemical company Syngenta AG (SYT) Friday reported a 25% rise in 2008 net profit and raised the dividend but gave a guarded outlook for 2009.

The Basel-based producer of crop protection chemicals and seeds said net profit in the 12 months to end-December rose to $1.39 billion from $1.11 billion a year ago, below market expectations of $1.44 billion.

Sales were $11.62 billion, up 26% on $9.24 billion a year ago.

The company said it aims to grow earnings per share this year. It didn't repeat a previous guidance of growth "in the high teens" in its EPS excluding non-recurring income, restructuring and impairments.

The company plans to hike the dividend by 25% to 6.0 ($5.13) Swiss francs a share.

Analysts described the results were solid but some said the change in outlook was a bit disappointing.

On the Swiss bourse at 0830 GMT, the shares fell 1.5%, or 3.40 Swiss francs ($2.90), to CHF221.50. They've fallen about 20% in the past 12 months, but are up around 12% year-to-date, partly due to last month's strong results from U.S rival Monsanto Co. (MON).

"In 2009, adverse currency effects and the need for tight risk management may limit growth in the emerging markets. Early signs for the northern hemisphere season are encouraging and we are well placed again to outperform the overall market, enabling us to continue targeting growth in earnings per share in 2009 despite economic uncertainty," Chief Executive Officer Mike Mack said.

The company is in a good position to grow through acquisitions, Mack told Dow Jones in a telephone interview.

"We have a clear acquisition strategy and we'll see what will come along," he said.

Asked about the possibility of another share buyback, he said: "We will rather use the cash to grow our business."

In 2008, Syngenta bought back 9% of its outstanding shares for $1.95 billion.

In the past few months, it has acquired three smaller companies in Argentina and the U.S.

Mack said he expects continued strong growth in emerging markets, adding that he also sees continued momentum in mature markets. "In the U.S., farmers are coming out of 2008 with high profits. They know how to use credit and technology," he said.

Still, analysts said the outlook is clouded with uncertainty.

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch said the intensity of crop protection use may be lower in 2009, especially outside the U.S. market. Also, inventory overhang at the farm level may prove to be far higher than generally understood at present, analyst Andrew Stott said. He reaffirmed a neutral rating and a price target of CHF230.

Company Web Site: http://www.syngenta.com

-By Martin Gelnar, Dow Jones Newswires; +41 43 443 8042; martin.gelnar@dowjones.com