STOCKCHASE

Longer term, agriculture is a great space to be in but over the last 12 months or so, you are seeing lower highs and lower lows. It has kind of broken above the 200 day moving average so it is tricky to see where it is going to go going forward.

2012-01-26

BUY

81.020

It is two businesses – retail + wholesale. Likes the long-term outlook for corn even though ethanol subsidies have gone. Prefers this to POT

2012-01-25

BUY

73.100

Christine Poole

Links agriculture in general. Delayed fertilizer buying has created a bit of uncertainty but in the long-term, she likes the fundamentals and its positioning, particularly nitrogen with this access to low-cost gas in North America.

2012-01-05

Comment

68.380

Lyle Stein

Fertilizers have been hit with the commodity flue and, in particular, as of late phosphate prices have been coming down, urea prices have been tanking and commodity prices are going south a lot faster than people anticipated. Recently jacked the dividend up to what he thinks is a sustainable basis. Looking at this for when he increases cyclicality in his portfolio and would be one he wants to own.

2011-12-30

Comment

70.140

Rick Stuchberry

Food story is a long-term story but unfortunately the market we are in is not a bull market so the long-term stories will give you volatility and that is what has happened here. You are going to see some growth and some pretty good numbers. These things really have to be traded around core positions.

2011-12-22

BUY on WEAKNESS

67.480

Bill Harris, CFA

Has had a run up over the last couple of years. High quality company. Has retain component that stabilizes earnings stream. Likes it because it has stable earnings. It is now just slightly too expensive. IT looks like there will be a lot o grain next year and AGU will pull off. He wants to buy it cheaper.

2011-12-13

BUY

72.700

Fertilizer stocks are correlated to the price of corn and beans. This is an excellent entry point. Long-term it looks good and for a short-term trade.

2011-11-21

Comment

72.260

Ross Healy

Feels that commodities are going to tend to do well in the long-term. Expecting commodity inflation. On a price to book value, this is a lot cheaper than Potash (POT-T).

2011-11-17

HOLD

72.260

Charles Lannon

Thinks highly of the company and the business mix. Resource stocks are high beta stocks and the data on this one is around 1.4. This means that on days where there is a lot of fear, this one is going to be off substantially. Over the medium and long-term, agriculture will still be very important.

2011-11-17

BUY

79.190

Michael Decter

Probably a good entry point for fertilizer stocks. Prefers Mosaic (MOS-N) but this company is a good solid one. Not a bad entry point.

2011-11-10

BUY

81.260

Attraction is that its main product is nitrogen which is used in the production of corn and demand will continue to grow in emerging markets.

2011-11-08

BUY

75.200

Christine Poole

Likes it. Long-term fundamentals are good. Longer term it is very positive. Likes their mix.

2011-10-12

BUY

71.160

Don Vialoux

Historically the best time to own is from the end of June through to end of the year. Didn't work out this year. Signs of bottoming in the last week or so and a good chance it will go back to its historic seasonal trend. Real sweet spot is actually from early Oct through until Dec. Watch DJ-UBS Grains (JJG-N). If grain prices go higher, it means farmers will have more money to buy fertilizers.

2011-10-07

TOP PICK

68.700

Specializes in nitrogen fertilizer, which is terribly important for corn crops. Becoming a world leader in wholesale/retail in all sorts of goods.

2011-10-04

BUY

76.140

Michael Smedley

Good entry point for a long-term hold. Brilliant company, both in production of nitrates/potash and its great retail chain across the US.

2011-09-27

BUY

79.360

Because of global economic fears, a lot of the material stocks across the different commodities, have dropped. This company is part of that. He expects good growth from their various divisions. Great entry point.

2011-09-21

BUY

83.900

David Burrows

Corn and Wheat prices had been quite strong. Fertilizer companies make a lot of sense. He would buy the stock. They beat the latest estimates. Longer term he thinks agriculture is a good place to be. He thinks there will be a forth quarter rally. He owns CF industries, AGU is more diversified. It is one of the few industries he is focused in.

2011-09-13

BUY on WEAKNESS

87.140

John O'Connell, CFA

This represents decent value. Not cheap but reasonable valuation. Lots of free cash value. In this environment, he would like to buy it on a big down day. Longer-term there could be a supply issue.

2011-09-07

DON'T BUY

83.980

Ross Healy

Giving him mixed signals on what is going to happen next. It is nervous trading. He is nervous that this stock may give him some downside.

2011-08-31

BUY on WEAKNESS

79.310

Michael Sprung

Has been looking at it a bit lately. In all three areas of the fertilizer market that are important. Agriculture demand going forward will go up. Multiples are going to more compelling levels. Long-term capital gain potential. It is approaching levels where he would consider buying it. Around $75 it is compelling.

2011-08-23

BUY on WEAKNESS

75.880

One of his core growth stocks. Fertilizer area just has to grow. Made a great acquisition in Australia and can see a lot of synergy with the far east in this. If it dropped any further he would be adding to his holdings.

2011-08-19

BUY

82.470

Had a nice bounce last week but still likes. Business is less cyclical and more diversified than Potash (POT-T). Future is still bright.

2011-08-15

BUY

81.960

Hap (Robert) Sneddon FCSI

Great company. Little bit less on the margins compared to Potash (POT-T). Over time, a great one to hold in your portfolio.

2011-08-11

WATCH

74.810

If we get some stability in the market, these are places are going to get well quickly. Seasonality for fertilizers is from July into later fall.

2011-08-08

Comment

79.080

Bill Carrigan

Stock has completed an ABC formation and he is sure it will have a bounce. He would suggest that you don't go too much overweight in commodities. If you want to get involved in the recovery, you'll probably see money going into stocks that had been really beaten up. This would include technology and financials.

2011-08-05

HOLD

83.750

Lyle Stein

Numbers yesterday better than any one thought. Commodities are very volatile. People have to assume their earnings will continue into the future. New money have to flow into this stock.

2011-08-03

BUY

87.390

Corn crop is coming in a little bit stronger than expected, which is very good for fertilizer companies. They are a consolidator in the industry. Earnings are growing.

2011-07-25

TOP PICK

85.990

Likes that it is focused on nitrogen and the fertilizer area, which caters to the growing demand for corn. Great retail and wholesale base being built up in North America, South America and now Australia. Target of $110.

2011-07-20

Comment

85.990

Derek Webb, CFA

To write a covered call on this at the money of $86, a gives a caller $2.50. That is the correct way to do it and this is a stock that he does over and over again.

2011-07-20

BUY

86.050

Mike S. Newton, CIM FCSI

Came out with very nice earnings in the last quarter. An excellent holding. He got stopped out of his holdings about 3 months ago. Will be integral for your portfolio over the next 5-10 years.

2011-07-19

WAIT

85.110

Jeff Parent B. Eng. FCSI

Doesn't see anything in particular from as seasonality perspective. Currently he likes the stock and it seems to have bottomed out in the high $70 range. If it can break through to $88, it might make a new recent high to $95.

2011-07-04

TOP PICK

81.460

Hap (Robert) Sneddon FCSI

Has wholesale and retail businesses in agriculture. This will continue to benefit from the long-term trend in the global agricultural space. There is rising demand from developing nations. Crop prices continue to move up. Trading around 10-11 times forward PE, which is pretty cheap to where it has been. Has a decent double-digit long-term growth rate.

2011-06-22

TOP PICK

78.010

Michael Simpson, CFA

Likes their retail business because it is more stable. Operations in several countries giving good diversification. Trades at about 12X forward earnings. Good entry point. After they complete their CapX program they will have room to increase their dividend. Payout ratio of about 6%.

2011-06-17

Comment

78.010

Bill Carrigan

Has just had a higher low so thinks its correction period is over. Potash (POT-T) looks stronger. The sector is healthy.

2011-06-17

BUY

80.060

David Baskin

Bullish on the entire agro sector. World food supplies are getting drawn down. This is a terrific company. Integrated operations from fertilizer production through distribution and wholesale in a number of product lines. Global operations.

2011-06-16

DON'T BUY

83.620

Michael Smedley

One simple edge on POT in that it is diversified. There are other stocks he would buy. He finds it a bit difficult, but it is not doing badly, really.

2011-06-14

Comment

82.550

Charles Lannon

Probably the best run, large cap agriculture company in Canada.

2011-06-13

DON'T BUY

82.490

Brian Acker, CA

$87.17 model price, 6% upside, all kinds of downside if something were to happen. If it broke through $75.50 he would sell.

2011-06-09

HOLD

84.810

Has a strong seasonal space coming up in about a month. These fertilizer stocks are quite volatile. Unless you see it break below $70, hang on to it.

2011-06-02

Comment

84.810

Terrific company. Expanding their global reach. His target is $111. Great future. Is it a Buy? Depends on your view of the market. Probably a good entry point.

2011-06-02

Comment

85.030

Benj Gallander

Uses seasonality to buy and sell stocks. He likes to sell stocks on a Friday and buy on a Monday.

2011-05-31

BUY

85.650

Ron Meisels

Had a very nice move through 2009 with a correction in 2010 followed by a nice rally. Now going through another correction and is now waiting for it to break out. Very close to its 200 day moving average. Not a bad buying opportunity at this point.

2011-05-30

BUY

84.460

Likes agriculture. Sees excellent short-term, medium-term and long-term growth for fertilizers. Globally there is a shortage of food. Rain conditions have flooded many areas.

2011-05-27

WAIT

79.670

David Burrows

Historically you want to own agriculture in the fall and early winter. Spring and summer can be a little bit less attractive. Very strong cash flow. There is a catalyst coming this week with Mosaic (MOS-N) having a big block of shares becoming available. (He is Short on this stock.)

2011-05-18

TOP PICK

79.670

Great entry point. It sold off since they announced their earnings and since they have had to battle with the wet weather. First Q results were cautious in guidance. Expanded operation internationally recently.

2011-05-18

TOP PICK

80.360

Pulled back to point where it is trading at 14x earnings. Likes whole Ag space. This is about 25% cheaper by multiple than POT. A little potential of it being taken over.

2011-05-10

BUY

83.550

Brendan Caldwell

Going forward, fertilizer companies will do very well over the long term. Agricultural needs are not going to let up any time soon.

2011-05-03

BUY

85.760

Jaime Carrasco

One of his top agricultural holdings. It’s about feeding 7 billion people. Agricultural land on a long term basis is one of those things that will be needed.

2011-04-29

PAST TOP PICK

91.580

(Top Pick Apr 19/10, Up 45.15%) If you were going to buy just one agri-stock this is the one. China and India demand continue as they continue to want more protein in their diet.

2011-04-05

BUY

89.360

Bill Carrigan

Trend is still up. Looking at a Point and Figure, it looks perfect.

2011-04-01

DON'T BUY

85.680

David Baskin

Downgraded because of performance this week. Was a fabulous stock at $51 and a fabulous company but now is not a fabulous stock at the current value. He has nothing but respect for the company. It does a great job. Vertically integrated. Less subject to the ups and downs of the fertilizer market. He moved to POT, however.

2011-03-22

STRONG BUY

87.740

Loves AGU. Fertilizer stocks look pretty attractive. Consider the sea water that came onto the land and it may not be available for years for crops. Farmers are going to want to increase their yields by using fertilizer. He bought more last week.

2011-03-17

BUY

86.180

Cheapest of all the Ag stocks he follows. Given Chinese demand for corn, it will favour the nitrogen sector of this company.

2011-03-14

PAST TOP PICK

86.040

(Top Pick Apr. 19/10, Up 37.15) Prefers this over POT because you get everything. Will hold on for a long time.

2011-03-10

PARTIAL SELL

91.370

Charles Oliver, HBSc CFA

Loves agriculture, which is a very good place to be. Has had a good run up. In the long term it’s a good holding in a portfolio. With the recent run up, consider taking some profits.

2011-03-07

DON'T BUY

92.120

Brooke Thackray

Agrium (AGU-T) or Mosaic (MOS-N)? Agriculture sector did extremely well over the last couple of months. Was into agriculture stocks in July and sold out at the end of December, which is when these stocks tend to do well. Overall sector goes up 15.5% on average over the last 21 years. Seasonally this is a period when agriculture tends to be flat. Technically there might be a little more upside but there will be a lot of resistance at $91.50.

2011-02-28

PAST TOP PICK

92.010

Jaime Carrasco

(A Top Pick Dec 11/09. Up 37.57%.) Likes the food complex. A long term story.

2011-02-18

BUY

95.700

Derek Webb, CFA

Likes fertilizers very much in a bull market. Supply of fertilizers is quite low.

2011-02-17

BUY

95.400

Likes the retail side of agriculture. Like a one-stop shop as you get retail, nitrogen and phosphate.

2011-02-16

PAST TOP PICK

96.310

Richard Croft

(A Top Pick March 16/10. Up 95.17%. Buy Oct ’74 Calls @$7.25.) This was a straight bet that the stock was going up. Option was worth $14.50 on expiration.

2011-02-11

Comment

92.510

Rick Stuchberry

Has had a pretty nice move. If it starts to break down, he wouldn’t give it too much room. Be tight with your Stops. There is room for the agriculture stocks to pull back.

2011-02-07

Comment

88.200

Inventories of fertilizers are down and prices are rising. Expectation is that China will start buying again. Would be a nice fit with Mosaic (MOS-N), a chemical company. He is not buying right now. Waiting for valuations to catch up.

2011-01-26

BUY

87.220

Laura Wallace

Falling fast and in a large part due to the same factors that are affecting oils and metals today. Also Mosaic announced more products going on the market. This one is a way to play the agricultural cycle because of its retail stores. Good for the medium and long term.

2011-01-20

PAST TOP PICK

90.620

(A Top Pick Feb 1/10. Up 50.27%.) Just took profits. A little over extended and doesn’t think the fundamentals are improving as quickly as the market anticipates. People are building in potash prices north of $500 and we are barely pushing through $400.

2011-01-19

WAIT

90.620

Ara Nalbandian

It is a cyclical market. Long-term secular factors are quite positive. He would look for quite a pullback to be interested. Wants 10-15% correction ($9).

2011-01-19

PAST TOP PICK

92.200

(Top Pick Jan 29/2010, Up 53.86%) Moved in tandem with Potash through most of the year. If you want only one agriculture stock, this one has everything. Not over valued.

2011-01-06

BUY

91.830

Jim Huang

Winter is seasonally weak for these stocks, but from a general market point of view he expects a pull back on this one. It is at a pretty reasonable valuation. Likes the company and the way it is conservatively managed.

2010-12-30

BUY

83.150

Fertilizer stocks are just beginning their run and can only see increased demand. Very much a growth stock. Now in Australia, which balances them off regarding seasonality. Expect they will be able to sell of the grain distribution part.

2010-12-17

PAST TOP PICK

84.660

(A Top Pick Dec 23/09. Up 27.45%.) Still likes.

2010-12-03

HOLD

83.710

Michael Simpson, CFA

Outlook for fertilizer and agriculture stocks is quite good.

2010-12-02

BUY

84.430

Mike S. Newton, CIM FCSI

Agriculture space is something you want to own. China’s food prices increased by 10% in October. Can probably reach new highs.

2010-12-01

HOLD

81.700

On the cusp of showing excellent sales. Agriculture sectors in various parts of the world haven’t been using fertilizers, particularly in China. Corn belt in US had very mediocre yields, so expects their will be more demand there.

2010-11-12

Comment

81.700

Pulled back a little today because it was a negative commodity day. Relatively good entry point. Could go sideways. Likes the fundamentals.

2010-11-12

SELL

85.210

Had a really good move since August. Still having a hard time seeing more than 5-$6 earnings. It is more expensive than POT-T. Would prefer an ETF like MOO for agriculture exposure.

2010-11-05

DON'T BUY

85.270

Quarter was not great. Stock had run up a lot. Hard to recommend buying this stock at this value. One of his top picks is based on this.

2010-11-04

BUY on WEAKNESS

89.100

Christine Poole

All fertilizer stocks rose when BP bid on Potash (POT-T). Corn prices in the US have gone up because of declining inventories. Made a bid for the Australian wheat board. Also want to expand their retail side.

2010-10-25

HOLD

87.380

Has been moving up very strongly but wouldn't step into it right now. A seasonal stock and this is the time when agricultural businesses by fertilizers.

2010-10-13

WAIT

86.490

He has owned it for some time. It just had a good run and pay pause for a bit. There are 2 billion people coming in to the middle classes and will want a better quality of food. Take a 3-year view.

2010-10-12

BUY on WEAKNESS

77.540

Colin Stewart

A way to get exposure to agricultural sector. Longer-term, a great play. Currently space is quite heated up so some stocks have had a decent run so wait for a pullback.

2010-10-05

BUY on WEAKNESS

77.540

Would like to start buying and to do so in the mid-60’s. This doesn’t have the same types of assets as POT. More of a retail space. Believes in the fertilizer space.

2010-10-05

BUY on WEAKNESS

75.390

Michael Decter

High-quality fertilizer stock. Got a huge bump when I bid was made on Potash (POT-T) and has pulled back but thinks it will pull back further. Would prefer it in the $60-$70 range.

2010-10-04

BUY

76.500

Richard Croft

Covered calls? This stock has been particularly volatile lately and the option premium has been richer than normal. Option writing on this probably has some value right now

2010-10-01

PAST TOP PICK

76.500

Richard Croft

(A Top Pick Aug 17/09. Up 115%.) Bought Jan $54 call option.

2010-10-01

BUY

77.200

Jim Huang

(Market Call Minute.) Solid fertilizer name.

2010-09-30

HOLD

79.310

Mike S. Newton, CIM FCSI

This is a stock that you can own for a very long time and one that he would want to own right now but expects there will be a slight correction on the stock price. Use a Stop of around $73-$74.

2010-09-27

Comment

75.830

If you have a 3-year view, he would treat it as a Hold or possibly a Buy. Have 2 main focuses. Nitrogen, which is necessary for corn crops and their worldwide retail/wholesale chain.

2010-09-21

BUY on WEAKNESS

76.660

Hap (Robert) Sneddon FCSI

Agriculture and fertilizer stocks have moved up very nicely. This one looks like it has got into the overbought area. Relative Strength Index is at 67. Look for a lower entry point such as the low $70's or high $60's. Earnings growth looks wicked going to be okay

2010-09-16

Comment

75.630

Douglas Kee

Well managed and less cyclical than Potash (POT-T) because of their big retail operations in the US.

2010-09-09

BUY on WEAKNESS

73.660

Rick Stuchberry

His overview on the market is that you don't have to chase anything. It will back and fill giving you an opportunity. September-October seasonally are not the best months for the stock market historically.

2010-08-30

BUY

73.060

Don Vialoux

Seasonal strength for agriculture stocks is from the end of June until the end of December. Technically it is getting very close to a resistance point and if it breaks through this stock will go significantly higher.

2010-08-27

BUY

71.910

Seemed to hit a bump at the current price but if it broke through, it would probably be good to own and get ready for a ride. Use a stop at the current price.

2010-08-18

DON'T BUY

71.190

Brian Acker, CA

His model price is $68.08, a negative 4.9%. Will possibly sell is holding when he does his monthly review. Would buy again at $52.

2010-08-17

PAST TOP PICK

69.500

(A Top Pick Aug 5/09. Up 34%.) Looking forward to go 15%-20% higher in the next 12 months.

2010-08-12

BUY

67.240

Norman Levine

Has warmed up to the agricultural stocks somewhat because of what has happened to wheat. Fertilizer stocks really trade off the price of corn.

2010-08-11

BUY on WEAKNESS

67.240

Is Agrium (AGU-T) or Potash (POT-T) a buy right now? Both have had a bit of a run. Expects today's weakness will continue tomorrow and he would be cautious. Try to get at $65-$66. Favours Agrium because of its diversity. Longer-term he is looking for increased earnings this year and next.

2010-08-11

BUY on WEAKNESS

68.260

Numbers are starting to come in on the fertilizer side and the demand is up. Expect the stock will continue to run from here.

2010-08-06

BUY

68.450

Brooke Thackray

Fantastic results. Fertilizer stocks tend to do well from August until the end o the year. If you look back, they haven’t done well because farmers were cutting back only to deplete soil and now they have to buy it. Great formation taking place on the chart. A breakout is going to take place.

2010-08-05

BUY

67.410