Topic: How To Invest

Dividend Advisor Hotline – Friday, August 18, 2017

Article Excerpt

AGRIUM INC., $122.22, Toronto symbol AGU, is the largest crop nutrient company in the world. It sells seeds, fertilizers and other agricultural products to farmers through 1,400 stores in North America, South America and Australia. The company last raised its monthly dividend by 12.2%, with the July 2015 payment. Investors now receive $0.875 U.S. a share for an annual rate of $3.50 U.S.; the stock yields 3.6%. In the three months ended June 30, 2017, Agrium’s sales fell 1.5%, to $6.32 billion from $6.42 billion a year earlier (all amounts except share price in U.S. dollars). However, that beat the consensus forecast of $6.31 billion. Sales through Agrium’s retail stores (87% of the total) declined 1.5% on lower fertilizer prices. Sales at the company’s bulk fertilizer business (13%) fell 3.9%, as lower prices for nitrogen-based fertilizers and phosphate offset higher potash prices. Agrium’s earnings in the quarter declined 1.5%, to $4.03 a share from $4.08 a year earlier. If you disregard unusual items, mainly…