http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/02/03/...for-fertiliz.aspx
Potash Prices Find a Bottom: Good News for Fertilizer Companies? February 3, 2014
As you might have heard, the potash market was experiencing great volatility since July of last year due to Uralkali's breakup with its former partner Belaruskali. The former cartel between the world's largest potash maker and Belaruskali virtually controlled prices for potash, and after the breakup prices suffered a strong correction.
Well, now it seems that normality is coming back. Uralkali's announcement of a new potash contract with China for deliveries in the first half of 2014 will serve as a basis for global prices. The new contract is priced at $305 per metric ton, 24% less than the company's last contract with China.
Given this new outlook, let's see how these three fertilizer producers should perform.
Lower earnings forecasts First, let's look at the world's largest potash fertilizer producer by production capacity, PotashCorp. (NYSE: POT ) .
The company, also known as PotashCorp, suffered a 46% year-over-year drop in profits in the fourth quarter. As a result, the company lowered its earnings forecasts for this year even below analysts' expectations.
PotashCorp took some action to return to profitability, slashing 18% of its work force in December and reducing production to lower expenses. These moves might not be enough to gain back investor confidence, however. Let's not forget that potash accounted for nearly 60% of gross profit in 2012.
Some fundamentals are on the company's side, though. Its mines sit at the low end of the cost curve and should generate profits even if prices drop to marginal costs of production. PotashCorp's capacity is expected to reach 17 million metric tons by next year after spending $8 billion to expand it. |