Glenview's Robbins Backs Monsanto Over Whole Foods Utopia

Larry Robbins, founder of $7.5 billion Glenview Capital Management LLC, said he’s amassed a $1 billion position in seed maker Monsanto Co. and intends to hold it as a long-term investment as demand for genetically modified foods rises.

“In a utopian world we would all be able to shop with hedge-fund managers and Hollywood stars and pay whatever we wanted at Whole Foods,” Robbins said in an interview today with Bloomberg Television’s Stephanie Ruhle at the 19th annual Sohn Investment Conference in New York. “In the real world, we do need to increase the food supply and GMOs unlock the key to that,” he said, referring to genetically modified organisms.