Profit from rising global food demand

Article Excerpt

Demand for more and better food continues to rise in developing countries. That will keep spurring fertilizer sales. We feel the best way to profit from this trend is with well-established fertilizer producers like Potash Corp. and Agrium. Both are attractive in relation to earnings, and both are raising their dividends. POTASH CORP. OF SASKATCHEWAN $40 (Toronto symbol POT; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 861.6 million; Market cap: $34.5 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.1; Dividend yield: 2.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.potashcorp.com) is the world’s largest fertilizer producer. It has six potash mines in Saskatchewan and one in New Brunswick. The company has faced delays in securing new supply contracts with buyers in China. That has lowered its potash shipments. As well, the Indian government has cut fertilizer subsidies. As a result, Potash Corp.’s earnings fell 21.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2012, to $645 million or $0.74 a share (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars)…