This should have been a good day for the potash companies. China said growth during the first nine months of the year would be above 7.5%, and that’s helped send metal, mining and resource stocks heading higher.
Bloomberg But on this day of all days, Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT)–try saying that without starting to stutter–lowered its earnings forecast for the third quarter to 41 cents, down from its previous estimate of 45 to 60 cents. Analyst had been forecasting 48 cents, according to FactSet.
Raymond James analysts Steve Hansen and Daniel Chew explain the reason for the lower guidance:
Stemming from the recent BPC fall-out, POT's revised guidance reflects the acute market uncertainty and lingering turmoil battering global potash markets. Specifically, with potash prices moving sharply lower across most export regions, buyers seem intent on deferring purchases with the hope of securing lower prices and improved macro visibility in the future. Consistent with this view, we note that competing potash bellwethers Mosaic (MOS) and Agrium (AGU) both recently lowered their 2013 global shipment forecasts.
Potash has dropped 1.6% to $31.23 at 12:59 p.m., and its dragging down other potash companies with it. Mosaic has fallen 2.3% to $45.21, Intrepid Potash (IPI) has dipped 0.5% to $15.14 and CF Industries (CF) has declined 1.2% to $204.47. Agrium has buckled the weakness by gaining 0.6% to $82.85.
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