Earnings jump ahead of merger

Article Excerpt

POTASH CORP. OF SASKATCHEWAN $23 (Toronto symbol POT; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Resources sector; Shares outstanding: 840.0 million; Market cap: $19.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 5.0; Dividend yield: 2.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.potashcorp.com) operates five potash mines in Saskatchewan, which account for 20% of global capacity. It also makes fertilizers from nitrogen and phosphate. In the quarter ended March 31, 2017, the company’s revenue fell 8.0%, to $1.1 billion from $1.2 billion a year earlier (all amounts except share price and market cap in U.S. dollars). Lower potash prices offset a 22.2% jump in sales volumes. Due to cost cuts and higher earnings from its investments in Israel, Jordan and Chile (potash production), the company’s overall earnings doubled to $0.18 a share from $0.09. Potash Corp. still expects to complete its all-stock merger with rival fertilizer producer Agrium Inc. (Toronto symbol AGU) later this year. Until then, the stock will likely remain in a narrow range. Potash Corp. is a hold. hold…