The Successful Investor Hotline – Friday, October 23, 2009

Article Excerpt

POTASH CORP. OF SASKATCHEWAN, $105.95, Toronto symbol POT, rose 3% this week on speculation that Australia-based BHP Billiton plc (New York symbol BHP) may try to buy the company. BHP is the world’s largest mining company, and a recommendation of our Wall Street Stock Forecaster newsletter. BHP is developing a potash mine near Potash Corp.’s operations in Saskatchewan, so combining these would offer some cost-cutting opportunities. Moreover, potash prices are low right now, so it would make some sense for BHP to make an offer. That’s not reason enough to buy shares of Potash Corp., but it adds to their appeal. Meanwhile, Potash Corp. earned $0.82 a share in the three months ended September 30, 2009 (all amounts except share price in U.S. dollars). That’s down 79.1% from $3.93 a year earlier. Sales fell 64.1%, to $1.1 billion from $3.1 billion. Because of lower crop prices, farmers are applying less fertilizer this year. That’s pushed down potash prices by 34% in the…