Is Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT) a Buy?

 The Potash Cartel and the continuing demand for nutrients

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Prakash Hariharan, Chairman of the Board for AnalytixInsight spoke yesterday on BNN Canada on the continuing demands for Potash in developing countries and the breakup of the Potash cartel in Russia. Demand for nutrients in the developing world continues to be high. Can Canadian potash companies like Potash Corp. POT rise to compete with companies like Uralkali URKA?

We look at the challenges facing the Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. POTPOT which produces crop nutrients, including potash, phosphate and nitrogen. Its products include fertilizer, feed, industrial, purified acid and metal finishing. Yesterday, the company's shares rose over 2%.

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Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. is burdened by relative asset inefficiency

The company's relatively high profit margins (currently 25.9% vs. peer median of 18.9%) are burdened by asset inefficiency with asset turns of 0.4x compared to the median of 0.6x. Overall, this suggests a margin driven operating model relative to its peers. Our peer set used in the analysis comprises: The Mosaic Co. MOS, Agrium Inc. AGUYara International ASA YARCF Industries Holdings, Inc. CFSociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A.SQMBTerra Nitrogen Co. L.P.TNHCompass Minerals International Inc.CMPIntrepid Potash Inc.IPI.

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Potash Corp. has moved to a Margin Driven from a relatively low asset turnover profile at the recent year-end.

The company's net margin continues to trend downward and is below (but within one standard deviation of) its five-year average net margin of 30.2%. Compared to 2012, net margin has remained relatively stable for both the company (25.9%) and the peer median (18.9%).

Potash Corp's asset turnover is downward trending and is below (but within one standard deviation of) its five-year average asset turnover of 0.5. Though its asset turnover has remained relatively stable at 0.4 compared to 2012, its peer median has decreased to 0.6 from 0.7 during this period. Overall, asset turnover and net margin trends suggest that the company's ROA at 11.6% has maintained its downward trend and is below (but within one standard deviation of) its five-year average ROA of 17.3%.

Potash Corp.'s lagging revenues and earnings imply a lack of strategic focus and/or ability to execute

Changes in the company's annual top line and earnings (-9.0% and -32.5% respectively) generally lag its peers. This implies a lack of strategic focus and/or inability to execute. We view such companies as laggards relative to peers (see graph below).

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